WHY LOSING WEIGHT CAN BEAT MISERY OF MIGRAINE

MILLIONS could avoid suffering the agony of a migraine by just losing weight, a study has found.

Scientists have discovered people who are obese are much more likely to suffer from the debilitating condition, which affects some six million in the UK every year.

Researchers carried out a review of all 12 available studies on body mass index – which records weight to height ratio – and the incidence of migraine.

The study, involving almost 300,000 people, found those who were either overweight or underweight were more likely to suffer from the debilitating headaches.

Risk

After adjusting for age and sex, the research team discovered obese people were 27 per cent more likely to have a migraine than those who are of normal weight.

People who were substantially underweight were also 13 per cent more likely to suffer from a migraine than people of normal weight, according to the study published in the journal Neurology.

Obesity was defined as a BMI of 30 or higher. Underweight was defined as a BMI of less than 18.5. Study author Dr Lee Peterlin, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore in the US, said: “As obesity and being underweight are potentially modifiable risk factors for migraine, awareness of these risk factors is vital for both people with migraine and doctors.

“More research is needed to determine whether efforts to help people lose or gain weight could lower their risk for migraine.”

Last night, migraine charities welcomed the research.

Arlene Wilkie, chief executive at The Migraine Trust, said: “Chronic daily headache is associated with factors such as obesity and stress.

“Eating a healthy diet is advisable for migraine sufferers. But missing meals is a well established migraine trigger.

“Moderate exercise can also reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks in some people.”

Experts have warned that the nation’s burgeoning obesity crisis may only add to the rising numbers of migraine sufferers.

Latest UK figures show that some 67 per cent of men and 57 per cent of women are now either overweight or obese.