Lifestyle Factors Not Significantly Linked to Migraine or Tension-Type Headache Risk: Study

Dr. Shravani Dali

Lifestyle Factors Not Significantly Linked to Migraine or Tension-Type Headache Risk: Study

Written By : Dr. Shravani Dali Published On 2026-01-09T20:00:23+05:30 | Updated On 9 Jan 2026 8:00 PM IST

Researchers have found no significant association between lifestyle behaviors—alcohol use, BMI, smoking, or physical activity—and the risk of migraine or tension-type headache in a new study. However, the conclusion is limited by the small number of included studies, highlighting the need for further high-quality research.

Despite the growing recognition of lifestyle factors as potential modifiable influencers of headache disorders, research on the association between lifestyle behaviors and migraine or tension-type headache (TTH) remains limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential association between lifestyle behaviors and these 2 headache disorders (migraine and TTH). A comprehensive database search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science up to May 2024 to identify observational studies. Relative risk (RR) values were extracted from the eligible studies, and pooled RRs were calculated through meta-analysis. Two independent investigators performed data screening to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data.

Results: A total of 7 studies (32,197 participants) were included. The results showed no significant association between alcohol consumption and migraine (RR = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47–1.62), body mass index (BMI) and migraine (RR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.87–1.48), or smoking/physical activity/alcohol consumption and TTH (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.96–1.30; RR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.70–1.20; RR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.78–1.45, respectively).

Consistent with these findings, the present study concludes that no significant association was observed between lifestyle behaviors (alcohol consumption, BMI, smoking, physical activity) and the risk of migraine or TTH. Further studies are warranted to explore this association. However, only 7 studies were included in this analysis, so the conclusion requires further verification through additional high-quality research.

Reference:

Gao, Tao PhDa,*; Luo, Hongdan BMb; Zhang, Xiyan PhDc; Jin, Xiaxia PhDd; Lei, Zhengquan BMe. The relationship between lifestyle behaviors and tension-type headache and migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine 104(52):p e46868, December 26, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000046868

Keywords:

Lifestyle, Factors, Significantly, Linked, Migraine, Tension-Type, Headache Risk, Study, Gao, Tao PhDa,*; Luo, Hongdan BMb; Zhang, Xiyan PhDc; Jin, Xiaxia PhDd; Lei, Zhengquan BMe

LifestyleFactorsSignificantlyLinkedMigraineTension-TypeHeadache RiskStudy

Source : Medicine

Dr. Shravani Dali

Dr. Shravani Dali has completed her BDS from Pravara institute of medical sciences, loni. Following which she extensively worked in the healthcare sector for 2+ years. She has been actively involved in writing blogs in field of health and wellness. Currently she is pursuing her Masters of public health-health administration from Tata institute of social sciences. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.