Study underweight and obesity increase the risk for migraine

Physicians are studying the effects of weight on migraine
Migraines are special headaches that occur as severe seizures. The exact causes of migraine remain largely unknown. However, body weight seems to have a major influence on migraine. Researchers now found that overweight and underweight people are at an increased risk for migraine.

Researchers at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, found that migraine can be both overweight and underweight. Both conditions increase the risk of migraine. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Neurology".

Migraine leads to painful headache attacks. Researchers now looked at the effects of body weight on the risk of migraine and found that both underweight and overweight cause increased migraine risk. (Picture: Picture-Factory / fotolia.com)

A BMI of 30 or more increases the risk of migraine by 27 percent
The meta-analysis of twelve different studies with almost 300,000 people showed that weight plays a key role in the development of migraine. The results showed that a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more is associated with a 27 percent increased risk of migraine compared to people of normal weight. Underweight persons with a BMI of less than 18.5 had a 13 percent higher risk, say the scientists.

Age and gender also affect the risk of migraine
The current study substantiates that obesity and underweight are associated with an increased risk of migraine. Age and gender are also important drivers, explains author Lee Peterlin of the University of Queensland in Brisbane. The data suggest that physicians should be aware of this association.

Further research is needed
Further research into a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms would have the potential to significantly improve the understanding of migraine, the researchers say. Thus, targeted therapeutic strategies based on the status of obesity could be developed, adds Lee Peterlin.

Obesity also leads to depression and pain disorders
The observed effect on overweight is quite logical, because obesity is also associated with a variety of pain disorders and depression, say the experts. Why underweight increases the risk of migraine, however, remains largely unclear.

Established risk of obese people is moderately increased
Although the increased risk of migraine in obese people is only modest, it indicates the need for further research in this area, the researchers explain. It is important to find out what effect weight loss has on migraine risk.

Perform changes in fat distribution to migraine?
The mechanisms behind the association between migraine and body weight are not fully understood, but a number of possible explanations have already been discussed. Changes in body composition that increase and decrease the amount of adipose tissue could play an important role, experts say.

Women and younger people develop migraines more often
Age and gender also seem to affect the risk of migraines, experts say. Thus, the occurrence of migraine was more common in women and younger people. These are also increasingly affected by obesity, which can explain the relationship, explain the researchers. Also, changes in physical activity, medications, depression or other medical conditions could affect the apparent link between migraine and BMI, researchers suggest. (As)