A wide neck circumference may indicate physical strength, such as that of athletes who practice violent sports like boxing or rugby, but doctors warn that it may also be an indicator of serious health problems.

Doctors say that neck circumference reflects the way fat is distributed in the upper half of the body, which itself is an indicator of overall metabolic health.

British doctors explained to the science research website SciTech Daily that fat accumulation in the upper body leads to the release of fatty acids into the blood, which in turn affects how the body handles cholesterol, blood sugar, and heartbeats.

Researchers Ahmed El-Badawi, Professor of Biochemistry, and Nadine Wahida, Professor of Genetics at Kingston University in London, say that a wide neck circumference is also an indicator of the likelihood of heart diseases such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, as well as some arterial diseases.

They added that there is also a link between neck circumference and some sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, where the patient feels unable to breathe during sleep, which may result in general fatigue, stress throughout the day, and circulatory system problems.

The researchers noted that a dangerous neck circumference is 43 centimeters for men and 35.5 centimeters for women. This problem can appear even in people with a normal body mass index, meaning a person may have a moderate build and not suffer from obesity but still have a wide neck circumference issue.

The researchers confirm that neck circumference can be changed by modifying lifestyle, practicing some physical exercises, and eating balanced meals containing fruits and vegetables while reducing calorie intake.