Impact of a weight loss program on migraine in obese adolescents.

""\\"Abstract. . BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: . . Increased headache frequency and severity have been observed in obese population, but the real impact of a weight loss treatment on headache has not been studied. We investigated this issue in a sample of obese adolescents.. . METHODS: . . One hundred thirty-five migraineurs, aged 14-18 years, with body mass index (BMI) ≥97th percentile, participating in a 12-month-long program, were studied before and after treatment. The program included dietary education, specific physical training, and behavioral treatment.. . RESULTS: . . Decreases in weight (P < 0.01), BMI (P < 0.01), waist circumference (P < 0.01), headache frequency (P < 0.01) and intensity (P < 0.01), use of acute medications (P < 0.05), and disability (P < 0.05) were observed at the end of the first 6-month period and were maintained through the second 6 months. Both lower baseline BMI and excess change in BMI were significantly associated with better migraine outcomes 12-month after intervention program.. . CONCLUSIONS: . . Significant improvements in both adiposity and headache data were observed in obese adolescents with migraine who participated in 12-month-long interdisciplinary intervention program for weight loss. Initial body weight and amount of weight loss may be useful for clinicians to predict migraine outcomes. \\"""