Nocturnal eating: association with binge eating, obesity, and psychological distress.
OBJECTIVE
To examine clinical correlates of nocturnal eating, a core behavioral symptom of night eating syndrome.


METHODS
Data from 285 women who had participated in a two-stage screening for binge eating were utilized. Women (n = 41) who reported one or more nocturnal eating episodes in the past 28 days on the eating disorder examination and women who did not report nocturnal eating (n = 244) were compared on eating disorder symptomatology, body mass index (BMI), and on measures of psychosocial adjustment.


RESULTS
Nocturnal eaters were significantly more likely to report binge eating and differed significantly from non-nocturnal eaters (with responses indicating greater disturbance) on weight and shape concern, eating concern, self-esteem, depression, and functional impairment, but not on BMI or dietary restraint. Group differences remained significant in analyses adjusting for binge eating.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the association between nocturnal eating and binge eating previously found in treatment seeking samples yet also suggests that the elevated eating disorder symptoms and decreased psychosocial adjustment observed in nocturnal eaters is not simply a function of binge eating.
Striegel-Moore
Ruth H
RH
Department of Psychology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut 06459-0408, USA. rstriegel@wesleyan.edu
Rosselli
Francine
F
Wilson
G Terence
GT
Perrin
Nancy
N
Harvey
Kate
K
DeBar
Lynn
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
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