Prevalence of the night eating syndrome in a psychiatric population.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the prevalence of night eating syndrome and its comorbid psychopathology in a psychiatric population.


METHODS
The Night Eating Questionnaire was administered to 399 patients in two psychiatric outpatient clinics. Those scoring above 20 on the questionnaire (N=205) were assessed for night eating syndrome with a semistructured telephone interview. Chart reviews of all participants were performed to determine their psychiatric diagnoses and medications.


RESULTS
Forty-nine participants (12.3%) met criteria for night eating syndrome. Greater rates of substance use disorders were found among patients diagnosed with night eating syndrome than among those without the syndrome. Obese patients were more likely than nonobese patients to manifest night eating syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Night eating syndrome is prevalent among psychiatric clinic outpatients and is likely to co-occur with substance use disorders and obesity.
Lundgren
Jennifer D
JD
Department of Psychiatry Weight and Eating Disorders Program, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market St., Suite 3123, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3309, USA. jlundgre@mail.med.upenn.edu
Allison
Kelly C
KC
Crow
Scott
S
O'Reardon
John P
JP
Berg
Kelly C
KC
Galbraith
Juliette
J
Martino
Nicole S
NS
Stunkard
Albert J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015897:Comorbidity; D020920:Dyssomnias / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires