Headaches significantly impact the health of children and adolescents. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydration, lifestyle factors, and vitamin D on headaches. We conducted an intervention where participants received personalized hydration recommendations based on guidelines, and advice on appropriate fluid choices. After four months, we assessed the intervention’s effects. The study included 60 children and adolescents with primary headaches, who visited the Triage Clinic at the Pediatric Clinic, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, between May and September 2023, approved by the Slovenian National Medical Ethics Committee (KME:0120-423/2023-2711-6). Data were collected through anthropometric measurements, bioimpedance analysis, questionnaires, and laboratory tests. After four months, participants significantly increased their fluid intake (p<0,001), leading to reduced headache frequency (p<0,001) and intensity (p<0,001), but with no effect on duration (p=0,19). Sleep deprivation (p=0,05) led to more frequent headaches, skipping breakfast (p<0,005) resulted in more intense headaches. Skipping meals, consumption of nutrient-dense and nutrient-poor foods, overweight, physical inactivity, excessive screen time, and vitamin D deficiency had no significant impact on headaches (p>0,005). Our study is the first to confirm the impact of proper hydration on headaches in children and adolescents, highlighting its importance as an effective non-pharmacological intervention.
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