Does being overweight cause headaches?

Obese people are almost twice as likely to suffer migraines as those who aren’t.

Studies have found that being severely overweight may almost double a person’s chances of suffering from migraines, according to Dailymail. Migraines affect one in every seven adults, and cost the UK economy an estimated £2billion a year. Now, scientists have found a link between migraines and weight.

It was discovered that obese people were 81% more likely to have episodic migraines, than those who weigh a normal amount. Episodic migraines affect the vast majority of migraine sufferers, and those who have severe headaches for around 15 days a month fall under this category of migraines. In contrast, migraine sufferers with chronic migraines feel unwell for more than half the days in the month.

The research also emphasises on weight loss and exercise, along with healthy eating, suggesting that it could help those who suffer from migraines, as it is obese people who are more likely to suffer from migraines. The findings also point out that the link between obesity and migraines is higher for those under the age of 50.

‘Previous studies have shown a link between people with chronic migraines and obesity, but the research has been conflicting on whether that link existed for those with less frequent attacks,’ said researcher Dr Barbara Lee Peterlin, of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.



‘As obesity is a risk factor that can potentially be modified, and since some medications can lead to weight gain or loss, this is important for people with migraines and their doctors.’

3,862 people participated in the study, with an average age of 47, filling out surveys with information on height, weight and migraines. A total of 1,044 participants were obese, and 188 of the participants had occasional, or episodic, migraine, defined as 14 or fewer migraine headaches per month. Obese people were 81% more likely to have episodic migraines, as compared to people with a healthier weight.

Dr Peterlin said: ‘These results suggest that doctors should promote healthy lifestyle choices for diet and exercise in people with episodic migraine. More research is needed to evaluate whether weight loss programmes can be helpful in overweight and obese people with episodic migraine.’

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2013.

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