INTRODUCTION- Lifestyle patterns like use of electronic media , sleep habits, dietary habits and study patterns have been associated with primary headaches in children in various studies. This study was  carried out to compare the lifestyle patterns of children with recurrent primary headache with that of children without headache.

METHODS- Lifestyle patterns of 30 consecutive Children in 5 -18 years of age group presenting with primary headache in pediatric OPD or  admitted in hospital were  compared with those of an equal number of sex and age matched children without any history of headache presenting in OPD or in – patients for some other problem, by completing a  predesigned proforma based on interview with parents as well as child. The results were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.

RESULTS- The overall screen time for electronic media of all types was more in headache group as compared to the no headache group ( 3.56+/- 1.65 vs 2.47+\- 1.19  hours/ day, P value<0.004); mobile phone time was also significantly higher in the headache group (1.286+/- 1.22  vs  0.70+/- 0.55 hours/day,P value <0.022). Significantly higher number of children were  missing breakfast ( 14 vs 4, P value<0.01) and school ( 13 vs 2, P value < 0.002)  in headache group compared to the non headache group.  Sleeping duration per day, physical activity, duration of study and school performance were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION-There are significant differences in the lifestyles of children with headache as compared to children without headache.