Waist-to-neck ratio and TG/HDL-C ratio as predictors of insulin resistance in non-diabetic adults with overweight/obesity: A cross-sectional study

İsmail Engin; Emre Hocaem

doi:10.18614/dehm.1874055

Waist-to-neck ratio and TG/HDL-C ratio as predictors of insulin resistance in non-diabetic adults with overweight/obesity: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Simple anthropometric ratios and lipid-based indices may help identify insulin resistance (IR) in routine practice, especially where clamp techniques are not feasible. We evaluated anthropometric ratios—including waist-to-neck ratio (WNR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)—and the triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio as potential predictors of IR in non-diabetic adults with overweight/obesity. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 49 non-diabetic adults (age 18–75 years) with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m² were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements (waist, neck, hip, height, and weight) and fasting biochemical parameters were obtained. IR was defined as HOMA-IR ≥ 2.5. Pearson correlations assessed relationships between HOMA-IR and candidate ratios/indices. Variables associated with IR were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Results: The mean age was 43.24 ± 11.20 years; 77.6% were female; the mean BMI was 33.80 ± 5.15 kg/m². IR was present in 25/49 participants (51.0%). WNR (r=0.293, p=0.041) and WHtR (r=0.341, p=0.016) correlated positively with HOMA-IR, whereas the neck-to-weight ratio correlated negatively (r=–0.358, p=0.012). The TG/HDL-C ratio correlated positively with HOMA-IR (r=0.344, p=0.015). In multivariable logistic regression, TG/HDL-C (odds ratio (OR) 1.432; 95% CI 1.050–1.953; p=0.023) and WNR (OR 15.469; 95% CI 1.446–165.541; p=0.024) remained independently associated with IR. Conclusions: In non-diabetic adults with overweight/obesity, the TG/HDL-C ratio and WNR were independently associated with IR, supporting their use as accessible screening tools. WHtR and additional exploratory ratios (e.g., neck-to-weight) showed significant correlations with HOMA-IR and may merit further validation in larger cohorts.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Endocrinology, Internal Diseases

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

İsmail Engin ^*
0000-0002-6493-9194
Türkiye

Emre Hocaem
0000-0003-4232-7362
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 30, 2026

Submission Date

January 28, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 10, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 40 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1874055

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA89GP82PL

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Engin, İ., & Hocaem, E. (2026). Waist-to-neck ratio and TG/HDL-C ratio as predictors of insulin resistance in non-diabetic adults with overweight/obesity: A cross-sectional study. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine, 40(3), 379-398. https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1874055

AMA

1.Engin İ, Hocaem E. Waist-to-neck ratio and TG/HDL-C ratio as predictors of insulin resistance in non-diabetic adults with overweight/obesity: A cross-sectional study. Dev Exp Health Med. 2026;40(3):379-398. doi:10.18614/dehm.1874055

Chicago

Engin, İsmail, and Emre Hocaem. 2026. “Waist-to-Neck Ratio and TG HDL-C Ratio As Predictors of Insulin Resistance in Non-Diabetic Adults With Overweight Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine 40 (3): 379-98. https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1874055.

EndNote

Engin İ, Hocaem E (July 1, 2026) Waist-to-neck ratio and TG/HDL-C ratio as predictors of insulin resistance in non-diabetic adults with overweight/obesity: A cross-sectional study. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine 40 3 379–398.

IEEE

[1]İ. Engin and E. Hocaem, “Waist-to-neck ratio and TG/HDL-C ratio as predictors of insulin resistance in non-diabetic adults with overweight/obesity: A cross-sectional study”, Dev Exp Health Med, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 379–398, July 2026, doi: 10.18614/dehm.1874055.

ISNAD

Engin, İsmail - Hocaem, Emre. “Waist-to-Neck Ratio and TG HDL-C Ratio As Predictors of Insulin Resistance in Non-Diabetic Adults With Overweight Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine 40/3 (July 1, 2026): 379-398. https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1874055.

JAMA

1.Engin İ, Hocaem E. Waist-to-neck ratio and TG/HDL-C ratio as predictors of insulin resistance in non-diabetic adults with overweight/obesity: A cross-sectional study. Dev Exp Health Med. 2026;40:379–398.

MLA

Engin, İsmail, and Emre Hocaem. “Waist-to-Neck Ratio and TG HDL-C Ratio As Predictors of Insulin Resistance in Non-Diabetic Adults With Overweight Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine, vol. 40, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 379-98, doi:10.18614/dehm.1874055.

Vancouver

1.İsmail Engin, Emre Hocaem. Waist-to-neck ratio and TG/HDL-C ratio as predictors of insulin resistance in non-diabetic adults with overweight/obesity: A cross-sectional study. Dev Exp Health Med. 2026 Jul. 1;40(3):379-98. doi:10.18614/dehm.1874055