The validity and clinical utility of night eating syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To review the empirical literature for evidence in support of inclusion of Night Eating Syndrome (NES) in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.


METHODS
Based on a literature search using PubMed, 47 empirical studies of NES were identified.


RESULTS
The literature reflects use of varying definitions; progress has been made toward reliable measurement of night eating symptoms; evidence regarding a differentiation of NES from "normalcy" or from other eating disorders is based largely on samples of convenience; only one controlled treatment study has been published.


CONCLUSIONS
There are limited data supporting the clinical utility and validity of NES; several options regarding the inclusion of NES in DSM-V are discussed.
Striegel-Moore
Ruth H
RH
Department of Psychology, Wesleyan University, 207 High Street, Middletown, Connecticut 06459, USA. rstriegel@wesleyan.edu
Franko
Debra L
DL
Garcia
Jennifer
J
D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D020920:Dyssomnias / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000145:classification; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results