AIM: To determine a possible relationship between migraine and body mass index.
METHODS: Migraine shows a wide spectrum of comorbidities, including 
cardiocerebral, vascular, psychiatric, metabolic, neurological as well as other 
pathologies. Recent researches suggest that obesity was significantly correlated 
with migraine frequency and disability in children, as well as in adult 
population studies. We reviewed data from the literature to clarify this 
possible relationship.
RESULTS: Translational and basic science research shows multiple areas of 
overlap between migraine pathophysiology and the central and peripheral pathways 
regulating feeding. Specifically, neurotransmittors such as serotonin, peptides 
such as orexin, and adipocytokines such as adiponectin and leptin have been 
suggested to have roles in both feeding and migraine. A relationship between 
migraine and body mass index exists, and therefore, interventions to modify body 
mass index may provide a useful treatment model for investigating whether modest 
weight loss reduces headache frequency and severity in obese migraineurs.
CONCLUSION: The effect of obesity and weight change on headache outcomes may 
have important implications for clinical care.