The night eating syndrome in the general population and among postoperative obesity surgery patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of night-eating syndrome in the general population and among a new sample of obesity surgery patients.


METHODS
Night-eating syndrome was defined by presence of morning anorexia, excessive evening eating, evening tension and/or feeling upset, and insomnia. A randomly selected sample of 2,097 adults (survey sample) answered structured interview questions on night-eating syndrome. A self-report form was completed by 111 patients who had received gastric restriction surgery for obesity at a patient reunion (patient sample).


RESULTS
Prevalence of night-eating syndrome in the survey sample was 1.5% (31 of 2,097). Prevalence in the patient sample was 27% (30 of 111). Weights for subjects in each sample, with and without the syndrome, were comparable.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of night-eating syndrome was higher in the patient sample than in the survey sample. Within each sample, presence of the syndrome was not related to weight. Prevalence in the survey sample was within the range reported for binge-eating disorder. Night-eating syndrome may warrant consideration as a distinct eating disorder.
Rand
C S
CS
Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610, USA.
Macgregor
A M
AM
Stunkard
A J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000855:Anorexia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001835:Body Weight; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D013577:Syndrome