Night eating syndrome

[9] Newer research suggests that the overall prevalence of NES ranges from 2.8% to 15.2% in clinical patients with eating disorders, obesity, and/or bariatric surgery.

[2] Furthermore, there have been contradictory conclusions on whether a higher BMI is a risk factor of NES, or if it is simply a consequence of night eating behavior.

[2][3][4][12] In contrast to eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, NES does not necessarily depend on a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI).

[2][3][4] It can occur in individuals with a weight considered normal for their age and height but is most commonly observed and studied in those with obesity.

BED and NES are often considered similar due to their prevalence in individuals with obesity and association with depressive symptoms.

A significant debate in the literature concerns the classification of NES as an eating disorder, particularly due to its symptom overlap with SRED.

These include bariatric surgery, bright light therapy (BLT), and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR).

[2] Research also showed a 30% decrease in food intake after dinner among participants who practiced PMR, along with a reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Thus, the impact of newer appetite-suppressing diabetes treatments, along with the growing use of very low-calorie diets and bariatric surgery in T2DM management, further underscores the importance of screening for and diagnosing NES early.

[29] Various foods contain tryptophan, but the extent to which they affect brain serotonin levels must be further explored scientifically before conclusions can be drawn.

[29] Considering the complexity of NES, treatment should be tailored to each individual, integrating psychoeducation on diet, nutrition, and sleep with psychotherapy to achieve effective outcomes.