Wider Neck Size Linked to Insulin Resistance
A study of 197 healthy adults found that men with necks over 16 inches and women with necks over 13.5 inches were more likely to show insulin resistance.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Weight Loss
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Researchers found that people with wider necks were more likely to show insulin resistance, an association that remained after accounting for waist size. The study, which analyzed health data from 197 healthy adults recruited from a Philadelphia hospital, was presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in Chicago.
Why it matters
Insulin resistance is closely linked to metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that roughly doubles the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke. Previous research has suggested fat distribution may predict certain health risks better than weight alone, and routine neck measurement could help identify at-risk patients earlier.
The study measured neck circumference just below the Adam's apple using a horizontal flexible tape across 197 healthy adults, with thresholds of 16 inches for men and 13.5 inches for women. The reported findings do not yet establish how strongly neck size predicts insulin resistance or whether it predicts future disease.
The players
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a leading U.S. nonprofit focused on cardiovascular health research, education, and advocacy, and it hosts the Scientific Sessions conference where this study was presented.
The details
Researchers measured participants' neck and waist circumferences before testing whether they had insulin resistance. The association held after waist size was taken into account, suggesting neck measurement captures something distinct from overall abdominal fat.
Timeline
2022: A separate study identified an association between larger neck circumference and atrial fibrillation.
November 2026: The insulin resistance findings were presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in Chicago.
Health Landscape
This finding adds to a body of research suggesting that where the body stores fat may predict cardiometabolic risk better than total weight, a line of inquiry that has gained attention in clinical cardiology. It also builds on the 2022 study linking neck circumference to atrial fibrillation, pointing toward neck measurement as a possible simple screening tool.
Because neck circumference is a simple, low-cost measurement, it may eventually be used during routine checkups to flag people who warrant further metabolic testing. For now, the study does not change how individuals should monitor their health, and people concerned about insulin resistance should discuss testing with a clinician.
The takeaway
Neck circumference may become a simple added signal of metabolic risk alongside waist measurement. Talk with a healthcare provider about insulin resistance screening if you have concerns about metabolic health.
Further reading
For more on how body measurements relate to metabolic health, explore Weight Loss coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mail Online.
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