Obesity and Headache/Migraine: The Importance of Weight Reduction through Lifestyle Modifications

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine a possible relationship between prevalence, frequency, and severity of migraine and obesity. All pertinent data from the literature have been critically examined and reviewed in order to assess the possible relationship between obesity and migraine, in particular migraine frequency and disability in children, as well as in adult population studies. Prevalence, frequency, and severity of migraine appear to increase in relation to the body mass index, although this evidence is not supported by all the studies examined. Data from literature suggest that obesity can be linked with migraine prevalence, frequency, and disability both in pediatric and adult subjects. These data have important clinical implications and suggest that clinicians should have a special interest for weight reduction of obese children suffering from migraine, prescribing and supporting intensive lifestyle modifications (dietary, physical activities, and behavioral) for the patient and the entire family.

Obesity and Chronic Pain

“…83,153 A recent systematic review suggested that "clinicians should have a special interest for weight reduction" of obese patients with migraines. 154 Upper and lower-extremity pain Numerous systematic reviews and high-quality RCTs in patients with OA have documented the benefit of physical rehabilitation on both weight loss and OA status. One well-performed study suggested that a modest reduction in weight through diet and exercise resulted in greater improvements in pain and physical performance in obese and overweight patients with knee OA compared with gains with either treatment alone.…”

Anatomical Look Into OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection for Chronic Migraine Headache

“…As patient body mass index (BMI) increases, it stands to reason that there would be more subcutaneous fat separating targeted muscle groups from the skin surface, such that the standard 0.5-inch needle may no longer be able to penetrate deeply enough to allow intramuscular injection. Given that obesity is associated with increased migraine prevalence, frequency, and disability, 20 we believe that a patient's BMI may be important for treatment planning in order to ensure effective intramuscular uptake of toxin. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the relationship between BMI and the distance from skin to muscle fascia at various botulinum toxin injection sites.…”

CIMMYT Series on Carbohydrates, Wheat, Grains, and Health: Role of Carbohydrates and Grains in Nutrition and Neurological Disorders: Headache, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Depression,

“…Headache prevalence and frequency is related to BMI (body mass index) in many studies (25). Foods that deliver slowly avail-…”