title: The application of ecological momentary assessment to the study of night eating.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Night eating syndrome (NES) was first described in 1955 by Albert Stunkard and colleagues. NES consists of either overeating at night or waking up during the night and eating.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the current study we used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to describe 14 self-defined night-eaters. The participants in the current study completed an EMA protocol of approximately two weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that ratings of hunger appeared to be higher during night awakenings than in the evening. Also, both affect and arousal generally decreased throughout the day and were lowest during awakening episodes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current study adds interesting data in describing the experience of night-eating behavior with ecological momentary assessments from self-described night-eaters.
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Clinical Research, Fargo, North Dakota 58103, USA. jboseck@nrifargo.com
authors.forename: Justin J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Boseck
authors.forename: Scott G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Kelly C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: Ross D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Crosby
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Zwaan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013995:Time; D014851:Wakefulness