What’s the link between circadian rhythm and night eating syndrome? Circadian rhythm is the body’s internal clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle over a 24-hour period. While night eating syndrome (NES) is characterized by eating a large proportion of daily calories after dinner or during nighttime awakenings.
Excessive nighttime eating, a hallmark of Night Eating Syndrome (NES), affects many people. This study from Greece explores potential links between NES symptoms and chronotype, our internal clock that governs sleep-wake cycles.
The link between circadian rhythm and night eating syndrome is a subject of research. A study concentrated on three different chronotypes: morning, intermediate, and evening, suggesting a potential correlation between chronotypes and NES.
Understanding chronotype can be crucial for tailoring therapy, especially for NES, which often disrupts sleep and impacts overall health.
Night Eating Syndrome (NES)
It is Characterized by nighttime binges at least twice a week, NES often coexists with obesity, poor sleep, and depression. Studies suggest that the circadian system, plays a key role in energy metabolism and sleep, and its disruption (chronodisruption) can lead to a cascade of health problems.
Researchers surveyed 533 Greeks and Cypriots online, measuring NES symptoms with a questionnaire (NEQ) and assessing chronotype, sleep quality, and mood with another tool (SCRAM). Interestingly, while no difference in NEQ scores was found based on chronotype, those diagnosed with NES using the stricter threshold (NEQ ≥ 30) were more likely to be morning larks.
The study revealed a strong association between NES and depression, suggesting depression might significantly influence NES symptoms. Additionally, the average SCRAM score indicated most participants had an intermediate chronotype, highlighting the need for a more reliable tool to assess chronotype accurately.
While the study’s scope limits its ability to universally translate its findings, it offers a valuable window into NES within the Greek context. It highlights the potential influence of chronotype and the undeniable role of depression in this complex condition. However, the melody remains incomplete. Future research, armed with larger, diverse samples and a more finely tuned chronotype assessment tool, is needed to confirm the connection between NES and morning larks, unravel the intricate interplay between NES, chronotype, and mental health, and ultimately, compose a harmonious symphony of understanding and effective treatment for those battling the demons of nighttime eating.
Key Notes:
- NES is a real clinical entity needing further investigation.
- Depression strongly links with NES symptomatology.
- The study found a relatively high prevalence of NES in the Greek population, highlighting the need for increased awareness and management strategies.
- The link between morning chronotype and NES requires further investigation with larger, diverse samples and a more reliable chronotype assessment tool.
- Depression plays a significant role in NES symptomatology, suggesting the need for holistic treatment approaches addressing both conditions.
- Larger, international studies are necessary to confirm the study’s findings and elucidate the complex interplay between NES, chronotype, and mental health.
- Understanding the intricate mechanisms underlying NES is crucial for developing effective treatments and empowering individuals to reclaim their health and well-being.
NES and Binge Eating Disorder: Are Both Same?
Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is not the same as Binge Eating Disorder (BED), although they share some similarities. NES is characterized by eating a large proportion of daily calories after dinner or during nighttime awakenings, waking up during the night to eat at least twice a week, and a delayed circadian pattern of food intake relative to sleep. Individuals with NES may also experience obesity, fragmented sleep, and various psychological traits such as depression, anxiety, and a negative self-image.
On the other hand, BED involves eating large quantities of food in a discrete period of time and feeling a lack of control over eating during the episode. Unlike NES, BED does not necessarily involve a delayed circadian pattern of food intake or nighttime awakenings specifically for eating.
Research has found that NES was often comorbid with binge eating behaviors, bulimic eating, loss of control eating, and insomnia, but individuals with NES tend to indulge in higher levels of binge eating compared to a control group’
Therefore, while there may be overlap and comorbidity between the two, they are distinct eating disorders with different diagnostic criteria and characteristics. [More sources: 1, 2]
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