Obesity and Migraine in Children

Migraine and obesity are highly prevalent disorders in both adults and children and significantly affect quality of life, health, and individual well-being. Both migraine and obesity may be associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and behavioral disease. Several potential mechanisms have been proposed to explain their link; they both seem to be influenced by genetic factors and are characterized by a local and systemic pro-inflammatory state. Recent translational and basic science research shows multiple areas of overlap between migraine and the central and peripheral pathways regulating feeding, suggesting a direct biochemical link between these two health problems. The paper focuses on the epidemiologic, biochemical, and physiological processes of interaction between migraine and obesity which are particularly complex and which have been the subject of multiple large and conflicting studies.