Health Signals Through Body Circumference by Body Part.

As the year-end approaches, there is an increase in individuals undergoing health check-ups. Health check-ups are crucial tools for understanding one's health status. However, examining specific body parts has also been shown to help predict health conditions in advance. In this blog post, we will explore how the circumference of specific body parts—thighs, calves, waist, and neck—affects health and the risk of diseases.

 

Examining specific body parts provides insights into health and disease prediction.

 

Thighs: Link to Diabetes

Research suggests a connection between thigh circumference and the risk of diabetes. According to a study conducted by the Graduate School of Public Health at Yonsei University, for each 1 cm reduction in thigh circumference, the risk of diabetes increased by 8.3% for men and 9.6% for women. Additionally, men with thigh circumferences of 60 cm or more had a 4 times lower risk of diabetes compared to those with circumferences below 43 cm. For women, the risk was 5.4 times lower for those with thigh circumferences of 57 cm or more compared to those below 43 cm. Thighs play a significant role in blood sugar regulation by consuming 70% of ingested glucose.

 

Calves: Correlation with Sarcopenia

Calf circumference can be helpful in predicting sarcopenia. Sarcopenia, characterized by age-related muscle loss and reduced physical activity, is a condition primarily observed in the elderly. According to research from the Department of Family Medicine at Kyung Hee University Hospital, calf circumference showed a close relationship with overall muscle mass, and 82% of sarcopenia patients had calf circumferences below 32 cm. This suggests that for individuals aged 65 and older, suspicion of sarcopenia is important if calf circumference is below 32 cm.

 

Waist: Association with Abdominal Obesity

Waist circumference is a crucial indicator for determining abdominal obesity. According to the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity, waist circumferences of 90 cm or more in adult men and 85 cm or more in women are classified as abdominal obesity. Abdominal obesity, especially, can lead to metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by abdominal obesity, hypertension, impaired fasting glucose, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol. Having metabolic syndrome increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other chronic conditions.

 

Neck: Relation to Heart Disease

A thicker neck may signal a risk of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), for every 3 cm increase in neck circumference, men experienced a decrease of 2.2 mg/dL in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, while women experienced a decrease of 2.7 mg/dL. Additionally, blood glucose levels increased by 3.0 mg/dL for men and 2.1 mg/dL for women. Low HDL cholesterol increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, while elevated blood glucose levels may lead to arterial sclerosis.

 

Examining specific body parts provides insights into health and disease prediction. Through health check-ups and appropriate management, maintaining a healthy life is crucial. Regularly observing these 'parts' of the body and cultivating habits of healthy living and preventive care is a continuous way to care for our health.