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Body mass index and headaches: findings from a national sample of US adults

Ford ES, Li C, Pearson WS, Zhao G, Strine TW, Mokdad AH

Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache, 2008

7,601 participants

Abstract

The objective was to study the cross-sectional association between body mass index (BMI) and the prevalence of severe headaches or migraines in a national sample of US adults. We used data from 7601 men and women aged > or = 20 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002. The age-adjusted prevalence of severe headaches or migraines during the previous 3 months was 34.0, 18.9, 20.7 and 25.9% among participants with a BMI or = 30 kg/m(2), respectively. After adjusting for a variety of covariates in a logistic regression model, those with a BMI or = 30 kg/m(2 )(OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.09, 1.72) had a significantly elevated OR for having a headache compared with participants with a BMI of 18.5-< 25 kg/m(2). BMI is associated with the prevalence of severe headaches or migraines in a non-linear manner.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 7,601 participants or records.

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