We measure our shirts the traditional way, using collar sizes, so you will see our shirts quoted in inches - 15" (small), 15.5" (medium), 16.5" (large) and 17.5" (extra large).
In most people, a neck size greater than 16 or 17 inches is a sign of excess fat in the neck area. This may contribute to crowding and narrowing of your breathing tube, making obstruction or blockage of your airway while you sleep all the more likely.
Men with a neck circumference above 17 inches and women with a neck circumference above 15 inches also have an increased risk of developing or having obstructive sleep apnea.
Link Between Neck Size and Your Health
Most adult male neck sizes range between 14 and 19 inches (48.26 cm), with the average adult male neck circumference being around 15 inches (38.1 centimeters). Like excess stomach fat, a large neck size is not good for your health.
Assuming that we are talking about circumference, a neck measurement in excess of 17 inches (43.2 cm) is big on an average man. 15 inches (38.1 cm) or more is big on an average woman.
The mean neck circumference was 42.0 ± 4.8 cm for men and 36.1 ± 2.9 cm for women (not shown in the table). Among those with high neck circumference, 16% were current smokers compared to 22% in those with normal neck circumference.
After analyzing nearly 4,000 men, the researchers determined the average neck circumference for a guy was about 15 inches.
If you have a thick neck, you may have more narrow airways in the throat. This can increase your risk of sleep apnea. According to this 2010 study, larger neck circumferences are associated with increased cardiometabolic risks. This research indicates that upper-body fat may be a unique pathogenic fat depot.
A fat neck is caused by the build-up of fat layers just below your chin. This fat is technically known as submental fat and is often associated with weight gain. Often, a fat neck is known as a double chin, which describes the layers of neck fat rolls that typically appear when someone has this condition.
Neck circumference is higher in obese than in non-obese individuals, higher in men than in women, and is associated with the grade of obesity. The neck circumference measurement has a high sensitivity and specificity in the definition of obesity.
When you start to lose fat, it's proportionate throughout your body, whether it's your neck, waist, ankle circumference. You'll come out smaller but have the same body shape."
When you lose weight, your body fat percentage may decrease, which can lead to a reduction in the size of certain areas of your body, including your face and neck. This can make your neck appear longer, as there is less fat in the area to give it a fuller appearance.
If you have a double chin despite being skinny, your body just happens to genetically store extra fat around the jawline. There's really nothing unusual about it, but it does present a challenge in that your chin fat is much harder to target through diet and exercise alone.
The amount of fat in your neck can fluctuate even before you reach your twenties due to weight changes or hormones in your body. However, when the platysma muscles descend and your skin begins sagging, that opens up room in your neck for extra fat deposits to accumulate in your neck.
From an aesthetic angle, many cultures seem to associate women and long necks as attractive. If you're a male, having a long neck sometimes makes you look “not as masculine.” But having a long neck that's also strong makes the neck look more prominent and masculine.
Conclusion: Neck circumference is a potentially useful initial screening tool for overweight/obesity. A neck circumference > or = 35.5 cm in men and > or = 32 cm in women should be considered the cutoff point for overweight/obesity.
The correct average wall thickness is 0.0115" ± 0.0002".
In other words, double the circumference of your wrist and you'll have the circumference of your neck. Twice around the neck, once around the waist. Double your neck size to find your waist size. Once around the fist, once along the foot.
Fat distribution – Any excess fat in or around the neck area will cause the skin to stretch and fold over, which will result in folds that resemble a turkey's wattle. A consistent exercise regime, a healthy diet and slowly losing weight can help to decrease the fat deposits near your neck and tighten the skin.
It can take up to six months to see results. CoolSculpting may work best in those who are already a healthy weight but have stubborn neck fat.
Weight, BMI, neck circumference, and estimated neck muscle volume were modestly correlated with neck strength in multiple directions (correlation coefficients <0.43). In a multivariate regression model, weight in women and neck volume in men were significant predictors of neck strength.
The good news: you can slim down your neck by making lifestyle changes that are maintainable long-term. This should include a sensible diet and regular exercise that trigger weight loss from your entire body. Spot reduction isn't possible; your neck will only slim down when your body slims down.
Neck exercises
Just grab a pack of sugar-free chewing gum and chew it twice a day for 10 minutes. Doing so will help build muscle under your chin and in your neck, fighting off that double chin and turkey neck.