Obesity and Headache in Libyan Adults: Findings from a Descriptive Cross‑Sectional Study in Gharyan City

• Al Basher Alafi

  Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Zawia University, Libya

  Author

• Ahmed Ashtawa

  Department of Laboratories, Faculty of Health Science, Gharyan University, Libya

  Author

• Siddig Bushra Mohamed

  Department of General Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zawia, Libya.

  Author

• Marwa Al Mabrok

  Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Zawia University, Libya

  Author

• Waed Aldaekh

  Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Gharyan University, Libya

  Author

• Hebah Zahmoul

  Health Services Administration Sabratha, Libya.

  Author

Obesity and headache are conditions associated with a substantial personal and societal impact. This study aims to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and Headache among adults in Gharyan City, Libya. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted at Gharyan city, Libya, during the period from December 2024 to March 2025. Two hundred (200) participants, including 94 males (47%) and 106 females (53%), were enrolled in this study. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire. The participants were divided into four categories, based on BMI: underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5 to 24.9), overweight (25 to 29.9), and obese (>30).  A total of 200 participants, both gender males and females, were enrolled in this study during the study period. The study indicates that high percentage of headache in age was 43 -56 years, and severe obesity BMI > 30 kg/m2 were observed of high percentage in females n=27 (25.47%) compared to males n=17 (18.08%), although the severe obesity and headache found in females n=37 (34.90%), rather than males n=30 (31.91%) Obesity and headache are both, slightly more common in females than males, we recommend that more studies among obesity and headache in large patients should be done, although small sample size and lack of long-term flow-up of patients, were the main limitations of our study and results suggested a need for monitoring by X-ray and MRI diagnosis of patients have obesity 

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