Neck Circumference and Blood Pressure Measurements among Walter Sisulu University Students

Nthai E. Ramoshaba (), Mthetho Q. Fihla, Wenzile S. Mthethwa, Lisa Tshangela and Zuqaqambe M. Mampofu
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Nthai E. Ramoshaba: Department of Human Biology, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Drive, Mthatha 5117, South Africa
Mthetho Q. Fihla: Department of Human Biology, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Drive, Mthatha 5117, South Africa
Wenzile S. Mthethwa: Department of Human Biology, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Drive, Mthatha 5117, South Africa
Lisa Tshangela: Department of Human Biology, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Drive, Mthatha 5117, South Africa
Zuqaqambe M. Mampofu: Department of Human Biology, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Drive, Mthatha 5117, South Africa

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-7

Abstract: Hypertension is a public health problem in South Africa. Increases in subcutaneous fat, presented by the neck circumference (NC) value, contribute to and predict the development of hypertension. However, to date, there has been no study done to investigate the relationship between the NC and blood pressure (BP) among historically disadvantaged university students. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the NC and BP among Walter Sisulu University students. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Walter Sisulu University. All 127 students were aged 18 years and above and underwent NC and clinical BP measurements using standard procedures. In a Pearson’s correlation analysis, the NC positively correlated with both the systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = 0.5; p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = 0.3; p < 0.001). Furthermore, in the multivariable-adjusted regression analysis, the NC was positively associated with both the SBP (adjusted R 2 = 0.3, β = 2.0 (95% CI = 1.1; 2.9), p < 0.001) and DBP (adjusted R 2 = 0.1 β = 0.950 (95% CI = 0.3; 1.6), p = 0.008) adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, alcohol, and smoking. The NC is related to BP among historically disadvantaged university students.

Keywords: neck circumference; blood pressure; obesity; students; subcutaneous fat (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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