Headaches are common among children and adolescents and can significantly impact their quality of life. Lifestyle behaviors are believed to influence headache frequency, but the extent of their association is not fully understood. A recent study aimed to investigate the link between various lifestyle factors and frequent recurrent headaches in children and youth. This study was published in the Neurology journal by Christelle N. and colleagues.

Chronic headaches in children and youth pose a significant health concern, affecting their daily activities and well-being. Understanding the role of lifestyle factors in headache frequency can inform targeted interventions for prevention and management. The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and the prevalence of frequent recurrent headaches in children and adolescents.
The study utilized data from a large cross-sectional Canadian population-based health survey conducted on January 31, 2019. Children and adolescents aged 5–17 years were included, with headache frequency categorized as "approximately once/week or less" or ">once/week" (defined as frequent recurrent headaches). Lifestyle factors including meal schedules, screen exposure, physical activity, chronotype, and substance use were assessed.
Key Findings:
• The study included an estimated nweighted = 4,978,370 eligible participants.
• 6.1% of participants reported frequent headaches.
• Frequent headaches were associated with older age and female sex
• Meal irregularity and excess screen exposure were linked to increased odds of frequent headaches.
• Later chronotype (preference for evening activities) was also associated with higher odds of frequent headaches.
• In older adolescents (12- to 17-year-olds), frequent headaches were correlated with frequent alcohol use, binge drinking, smoking cigarettes, using e-cigarettes, and cannabis use.
• Daily exposure to smoking inside the house was associated with frequent headaches across the entire sample.
The findings suggest that various lifestyle behaviors, including meal irregularity, screen exposure, and substance use, may contribute to frequent headaches in children and youth. Addressing these modifiable risk factors could be crucial in managing and preventing chronic headaches in this population, emphasizing the importance of holistic approaches to pediatric headache care.
Lifestyle factors play a significant role in the prevalence of frequent headaches among children and adolescents. Targeting these factors through interventions focused on promoting healthy behaviors may help reduce the burden of chronic headaches in this population.
Reference:
Nilles, C., Williams, J. V., Patten, S. B., Pringsheim, T. M., & Orr, S. L. Lifestyle factors associated with frequent recurrent headaches in children and adolescents: A Canadian population-based study. Neurology,2024;102(6). https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0000000000209160