Neck circumference in community-dwelling older adults: prevalence and associated factors—a cross-sectional study

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of inadequate nutritional status, as assessed by measurement of neck circumference (NC), and its associated factors in older adults living in a municipality in Southern Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study of older adults living in the municipality of Coxilha, Rio Grande do Sul. Participants were assessed for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and presence of chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). NC was measured at the midpoint of the neck, just below the upper border of the laryngeal prominence, and categorized based on the following cutoff points: ≥ 40.5 cm for men and ≥ 35.7 cm for women. Results: A total of 517 older adults (mean age 69.74 years) were assessed. The sample was predominantly female. A high prevalence of inadequate NC was identified in both men (39.8%) and women (48.7%). In men, inadequate NC was associated with living with a partner, having a household income more than five times the minimum wage, and presence of NCDs. In women, it was associated with living in urban areas and presence of NCDs. Conclusions: This study found a high prevalence of large NC in older adults in a small municipality in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, This finding was associated with NCDs and other factors.