Nighttime Eating Disorder: Manifestations, Origins, Remedies
Night Eating Syndrome: A Complex Disorder Affecting Many
Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is a lesser-known eating disorder that affects individuals, particularly university students, with a high prevalence reported in a 2016 study. This condition is characterised by repeated episodes of eating significant amounts of food during the night, often accompanied by disrupted sleep and reduced morning appetite.
The causes of NES are multifaceted, with several factors contributing to its development. A 2021 study found an association between NES and psychological factors such as depression and anxiety. Additionally, disruption of the circadian rhythm, genetic predisposition, stress, and elevated cortisol levels have been identified as common causes.
The symptoms of NES are distinct and can be debilitating. Individuals with NES typically eat a large proportion (25-50%) of their daily calories after dinner, wake up multiple times at night to eat at least twice per week, and skip breakfast or have no appetite in the morning at least four times per week. These eating patterns are often accompanied by insomnia, disrupted sleep that causes daytime drowsiness and impairment, and emotional distress such as shame or guilt related to night eating episodes.
Treatment for NES involves a combination of behavioural, pharmacological, and lifestyle approaches. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is often used to help individuals replace unsettling thoughts and behaviours with positive habits. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have shown promise in symptom reduction and improving quality of life. Bright Light Therapy, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, and addressing related issues such as stress management and treating underlying depression or anxiety are also important components of treatment.
Untreated NES can lead to weight gain, obesity, and related health risks including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease. It is important to note that NES is distinct from binge eating disorder (BED), which involves eating large quantities of food at once.
To diagnose NES, doctors may ask about symptoms, sleep disturbances, and nighttime eating episodes, and may also ask the individual to complete the night eating diagnostic questionnaire. It is possible to confuse NES with sleep-related eating disorder (SRED), but in SRED, people sleepwalk and eat without remembering the incident.
In summary, NES is a complex disorder rooted in circadian rhythm disruption, stress, and psychological factors, presenting with nighttime eating and sleep disturbances. Effective management typically requires a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. If you suspect you may have NES, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional who can help you navigate treatment options.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7433487/ [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4980513/ [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6621280/ [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5776331/ [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6739197/
- Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is a lesser-known eating disorder that, according to a 2016 study, affects a significant number of individuals, particularly university students.
- This condition is characterized by repeated episodes of eating significant amounts of food during the night, often accompanied by disrupted sleep and reduced morning appetite.
- The causes of NES are complex, with several factors contributing to its development, such as psychological factors like depression and anxiety, disruption of the circadian rhythm, stress, genetic predisposition, and elevated cortisol levels.
- Symptoms of NES are distinct and can be debilitating, with individuals typically eating a large proportion of their daily calories after dinner, waking up multiple times at night to eat, and skipping breakfast or having no appetite in the morning.
- Treatment for NES involves a combination of behavioral, pharmacological, and lifestyle approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Bright Light Therapy, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, and addressing related issues such as stress management and treating underlying depression or anxiety.
- Untreated NES can lead to weight gain, obesity, and related health risks such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease.
- It's important to note that NES is distinct from binge eating disorder (BED), but to diagnose NES, doctors may ask about symptoms, sleep disturbances, and nighttime eating episodes, and may also ask the individual to complete the night eating diagnostic questionnaire.
