Study: Teenagers Suffer from Headaches due to Obesity, Smoking and Lack of Exercise

Lifestyle factors seem to have a significant influence on our overall health. Experts suggest that teenagers who are either overweight, perform little exercise or smoke suffer from frequent headaches and migraines than teens with none of these factors. It was affirmed that teenagers with all three of the negative lifestyle factors were 3.4 times more likely to have frequent headaches as compared to those with none of the negative lifestyle factors.

While conducting the study it was observed that youngsters having all three negative lifestyle factors had frequent headaches, than 25 percent of those with no negative lifestyle factors. Teenagers reporting two negative factors were apparently 1.8 times more prone to have frequent headaches. In addition, overweight teens were 40 percent more likely to have frequent headaches as compared to those with no negative factors.

“These lifestyle factors have rarely been studied in teens. This study is a vital step toward a better understanding of lifestyle factors and potential preventive measures that can be taken,” highlighted Andrew D. Hershey, MD, PhD, of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Neurology.

Investigators claim that youngsters who smoked were 50 percent more likely to have frequent headaches. Teens exercising less than twice a week seemed to be 20 percent more likely to have frequent headaches than those who exercised at least twice a week and had no other negative factors. The investigation which is a part of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study encompassed 5,847 students aged 13 to 18 years from Nord-Trøndelag county in Norway. These volunteers were interviewed by nurses about headaches. Also their weight and height measurements were taken.

The study participants were made to fill in a questionnaire about physical activity and smoking. As a result, 36 percent of girls and 21 percent of boys registered going through recurrent headaches within the last year. While 16 percent of the students were overweight and 19 percent were smokers, 31 percent reported to exercise less than twice a week. By conducting a precise management of healthy habits like regular exercise and healthy food choices, teens may successfully treat and prevent headaches. Also smoking they suggest should be completely avoided for enjoying positive results.

The study was published in the August 18, 2010, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.