Background: Migraine is one of the main reasons for primary and secondary headaches worldwide
and has significant effects on patients’ life. Based on recent studies, obesity may affect the severity,
frequency and duration of migraine attacks.
Objective: This aim of this study was to review the literature on the association of migraine and
obesity.
Methods: In this review, databases of PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science were
searched using “migraine”, “headache”, “obesity” and “overweight” as keywords. Studies published
between 2005 and 2014 were reviewed. Human studies in which migraine was diagnosed based on
the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria were included. Articles with non-English
languages and studies on headache as the main purpose were excluded. 10 articles met the inclusion
criteria.
Findings: In most evaluated studies, the association of obesity (BMI≥30) and morbid obesity
(BMI≥35) with high frequency of migraine attacks and frequent migraine headaches was
significant. This association was more significant in younger subjects and subjects under 55 years
old. There was no association between obesity and migraine symptoms (severity, frequency and
duration of headache) in only one study. Another study indicated that BMI≤18.5 was associated
with migraine.
Conclusion: With regards to the results, general and abdominal obesity can increase the frequency
of migraine attacks; however, more studies are recommended.
Keywords: Migraine Disorders, Headache, Obesity, Overweigh
