The risk of migraines increases when BMI is too high (or too low)
12% of the population is affected by migraines. The scientific journalNeurologyhas just published a new study linking BMI and migraines.
Indeed, obese people as well as those who suffer from underweight sharean increased risk of migraineaccording to a meta-analysis(1) of 12 studies with a total of 288,981 people.
Grouping of several studies
In Australia, researchers have looked at some studies already done in relation to migraines. Indeed, migraines generally cause intense pain, which is very unpleasant on a daily basis and yet affectsnearly 12% of the population (according to theMigraine Research Foundation). In France there are multiple migraine centers. So these researchers set out to find out more about what could cause an increased risk of migraines.
After pooling the results of 12 different studies, and adjusting all these different results for age and sex, the scientists found that obese people with a BMI (Body Mass Index, you can also do your own BMItest on this page) of 30 or more had a27% higherrisk of migraine than people with a BMI in the norm (index 95% confidence).
Conversely, underweight people (with a BMI below 18.5) hada 13% increased risk (95% confidence index).
In summary, the researchers were able to demonstrate:
- BMI over 30: migraine risk increased by 27%
- BMI less than 18.5: migraine risk increased by 13%
Comments from the authors of the study
One of the study’s authors (Lee Peterlin of the University of Queensland in Australia) and colleagues made several statements. “The current study confirms that obesity and underweight are associated with an increased risk of migraine, and that age and sex are important covariates of this association. These data suggest that clinicians treating patients with migraines should be aware of this association.”
«Further research to better understand the mechanisms underlying this association has the potential to advance our understanding of migraine and lead to the development of targeted obesity-based therapeutic strategies,” he added.
Finally, it states that “it is also possible that other factors such as changes inphysical activity, medications, or other conditions such as depression play a role in the relationship between migraine and body composition.”
Another scientist, Richard Lipton (of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City) also commented on this study although he was not involved. He said, “Given that obesity is associated with a variety of pain disorders and depression, the finding is not surprising, but it is important,” adding that it still makes sense because “obesity induces inflammation and inflammation contributes to pain.”
Study limitations
Study limitations include the fact that in 50% of studies, participants self-reported their migraines. In addition, in more than 50% of the studies, the participants self-declared their Body Mass Index (BMI). In fact, previous research(2) had shown that people with migraine were more likely to underestimate their own BMI.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.