Headache and Obesity in the Pediatric Population

Abstract

Childhood obesity and headache are both significant health concerns that often have a marked impact both personally and socially, that if not addressed can carry over into adulthood. For many individuals, these effects may be magnified when obesity and headache are seen in conjunction. It is this overlap between obesity and headache in children, as well as similarities in the known mechanism of action for feeding and headache, which led to a suspected association between the two. Unfortunately, although recent studies have supported this association, only a limited number have been conducted to directly address this. Furthermore, despite rising rates of childhood obesity and headache, the associated medical comorbidities, and the significant financial cost for these conditions, there is a relative void in studies investigating treatment options that address both underlying conditions of obesity and headache in children.

Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pediatric obesity: consensus position statement of the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology and the Italian Society of Pediatrics

“…Recent studies have reported greater risk of episodic or recurrent migraine or daily chronic headache or tension headache in obese children and adolescents than the normal population [ 128 , 129 ]. Some drugs used for headache and migraine have weight gain as side effect [ 129 ]. Negative lifestyle factors, which may influence the prevalence of recurrent headache, are possible targets for preventive measures [ 130 ].…”

Obesity and Chronic Pain

“…Investigators also have reported an overlay between increased BMI and headaches in children. 97 The association between pain and obesity in elderly individuals is discussed in the literature primarily in the form of narrative review. 98 One study showed that elderly obese individuals (≥70 years, n = 736) had both greater functional disability and an increase in the number of people reporting pain.…”

Childhood obesity: Aetiology, comorbidities, and treatment

“…The MS that many obese patients suffer can be associated more frequently with behavioural disorders, less neurocognitive development, and lower school performance, especially in areas such as arithmetics and language . At the neurological level, it has been associated with higher rates of episodic or chronic migraine and an increased risk of idiopathic intracranial hypertension that may or may not be associated with a brain pseudotumour . Finally, an aspect that has generated increasing concern in the approach of the paediatric patient with obesity is the impact at the psychological level, since it shows higher rates of depression, anxiety disorders, low self‐esteem, and an increased risk of discrimination and harassment in the school environment.…”