For chronic migraine sufferers many factors affect the chances of spending the day lying in the dark in pain. While lifestyle choices are a known risk factor, another element increases chances of migraines: weight.
Both obesity and being underweight are associated with an increased risk for migraine, according to a meta-analysis published in a recent online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The researchers looked at all available studies on body mass index (BMI) and migraine.
Weight and Migraines
In this meta-analysis, a total of 12 studies with 288,981 participants were included. When the researchers compiled all of the results and adjusted for age and sex, they found that obese people were 27 percent more likely to have migraine than people of normal weight. People who were underweight were 13 percent more likely to have migraine than people of normal weight.
Obesity was defined as a BMI of 30 or higher. Underweight was defined as a BMI of less than 18.5.
This does not mean that being obese or underweight causes migraines, but they increase the risk of getting migraines.
Treatment for Migraines
What does this mean for migraine sufferers and the doctors who treat them? Losing or gaining weight could influence number of migraines.
“As obesity and being underweight are potentially modifiable risk factors for these headaches, awareness of these risk factors is vital for both people impacted and doctors,” said study author B. Lee Peterlin, DO, of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. “More research is needed to determine whether efforts to help people lose or gain weight could lower their risk for migraine.”
Peterlin said the risk between obesity and headaches was moderate and similar in size to the link between migraine and bipolar disorders and ischemic heart disease, a condition of recurring chest pain or discomfort when part of the heart does not receive enough blood.
She continued, “It’s not clear how body composition could affect migraine. Adipose tissue, or fatty tissue, secretes a wide range of molecules that could play a role in developing or triggering one. It’s also possible that other factors such as changes in physical activity, medications, or other conditions such as depression play a role in the relationship between migraine and body composition.”
Risk Factors for Migraines
While much is still not completely understood about migraines and what causes them. Researches have found these triggers and factors .
- Hormones – changes in estrogen levels is a common trigger for migraines. For many people migraines begin after their first period and go away or become much less frequent after menopause
- Stress – demanding, stressful periods of life can trigger migraines
- Changes in weather – sudden and dramatic shifts in barometric pressure can trigger a migraine
- Food and eating habits – missing a meal or eating ultra-processed foods are often reasons for migraines
- Stimuli – sensory input, such as strong smells, flashing lights, and loud sounds can trigger migraines
- Sleep – both getting too much sleep or sleeping too little can cause a migraine
- Sex – women are much more likely to have migraines than men
- Age – migraines are more common in young people with most peoples migraines becoming less prevalent after their 30s
- Genetics – migraines are more likely if someone in the family also gets migraines
Limitations of the meta-analysis include that for half of the studies people self-reported that they had migraine and for more than half of the studies people self-reported their body mass index.
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
To learn more about migraine, visit www.aan.com/patients.
