Night eating syndrome
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Night eating syndrome is an eating disorder[1] and parasomnia [2] that has only been recognized by general community since 1999, even though it was initially described by Dr Stunkadr in 1955. [3] It affects between 1 and 2% of the population.[4] Although it can affect all ages and both sexes, it is more common in young women.[5] NES is also characterized as a sleeping disorder.[6] NES is often accompanied by or confused with sleep-related eating disorder, which is primarily a sleep disorder rather than an eating disorder, in which people are unaware of having eaten while asleep. There is debate as to whether these should be viewed as separate diseases, or part of a continuum. [7]
This is an ongoing, persistent behavior, not an occasional late snack or skipped meal. People with this disorder are often unaware of their nocturnal meals,[8] although some feel they won't be able to sleep without eating first, as people falls asleep more easily on a full stomach. Among those who are aware of their night eating, there is often an emotional component; the diet of the night eater is comfort food. People with NES were shown to have higher scores for depression and low self-esteem. Nocturnal melatonin and leptin are decreased [9]. Possibly, low serotonin levels may play a role as some cases of NES respond to SSRIs [10]. Certain medication and alcohol can make sleepwalking more likely in an individual prone to these episodes. In Australia, Stilnox (a medication distributed in the United States as Ambien) was found to cause sleepdriving, and sleepeating as side effects by the Australian drug agency.[11]
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[edit] Symptoms / Behavior
People who suffer from night eating syndrome generally:
- Skip breakfast, and go several hours after waking before their first meal.
- Consume at least half their calories after dinner. (Many sources would list this as after 9 or 10 pm; dessert is generally not included, if one is eaten. )
- Late night binges almost always consist of carbohydrates. However, this eating is typically spread over several hours, which is not consistent with a typical eating binge as seen in other eating disorders. Episodes of sleepeating can be repeated throughout the night, with many separate visits to the fridge or cupboard.
- Suffer from depression or anxiety, often in connection with their eating habits.[12]
- These night eating episodes typically bring guilt rather than hedonic enjoyment.
- Has trouble sleeping in general; see insomnia.[13]
- Is more likely than the general public to sleepwalk.
To be considered a bona fide disorder, this pattern should continue for two months or more.
[edit] Treatment
Night eating disorder tends to lead to weight gain; as many as 28% of those seeking gastric bypass surgery were found to suffer from NES in one study.[14] The disorder is accompanied by what sufferers describe as an uncontrolable desire to eat, akin to addiction, and is often treated chemically.
The antidepressant drug Zoloft has shown some ability to help NES sufferers.
[edit] References
- ^ BBC News | HEALTH | Night bingeing recognised as a disorder
- ^ http://www.emedicine.com/med/byname/Parasomnias.htm
- ^ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=14388031&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=google
- ^ ANRED: Night Eating Syndrome
- ^ Nocturnal Eating Syndrome (Sleep Eating) Information
- ^ Night-eating disorder
- ^ http://www.psychiatrymmc.com/displayArticle.cfm?articleID=article249
- ^ Nocturnal Eating Syndrome (Sleep Eating) Information
- ^ http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/282/7/657
- ^ http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/532147
- ^ New York Times; March 15, 2007; F.D.A. Issues Warning on Sleeping Pills
- ^ Night Eating Syndrome Is Associated with Depression, Low Self-Esteem, Reduced Daytime Hunger, and Less Weight Loss in Obese Outpatients - Gluck et al. 9 (4): 264 - Obesity
- ^ Other Types of Eating Disorders - The Something Fishy Website on Eating Disorders
- ^ Doughnuts in the Dark - Newsweek Health - MSNBC.com
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