An Updated Review of Night Eating Syndrome: An Under-Represented Eating Disorder

Abstract

Purpose of Review Night eating syndrome (NES) is an eating disorder that has historically been under-studied. The current review aims to summarize the most up-to-date research on NES to support better awareness. Recent Findings Since NES was recently included as a formal diagnosis, research on the prevalence of NES is ever evolving. Current studies underscore the high comorbidity between NES and other eating disorders, with additional complexities for patient with comorbid eating disorders. Recent findings also support the association between NES and sleep correlates, a relationship that has remained during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging research confirms correlates of distress in NES across cultures. There remain mixed findings between NES and BMI. There is also debate around whether age is a risk factor. Bariatric surgery research has focused on the re-emergence of NES post-operatively. Summary Our understanding of the correlates of NES is increasing. However, research on the treatment for NES remains particularly under-studied and requires further attention.

Beat the Clock: Assessment of Night Eating Syndrome and Circadian Rhythm in a Sample of Greek Adults

“…In the present sample, each increment in the depression score heightened the odds of exhibiting more NES symptoms. Similar associations have been reported previously [ 46 , 50 , 63 , 72 , 73 ], estimating that more than half of the patients with NES exhibit major depressive disorder sometime throughout their lifetime [ 45 ]. Nevertheless, individuals with higher levels of depression and psychological distress may often resort to emotional eating as a coping strategy to overcome depression [ 74 , 75 , 76 ].…”

“…According to Kaur et al [ 8 ], when the cut-off is decreased from 30 to 25 points, the prevalence of NES within the examined populations is more than doubled. The “25” cut-off for the NEQ has a positive predictive value (PPV) of 40.7%, indicating a 40.7% chance that a patient who screened positive actually has NES [ 36 , 50 ]. On the other hand, a NEQ score ≥ 30 is a stronger predictor of NES, with a PPV of 72.7% [ 36 , 50 ].…”

“…The “25” cut-off for the NEQ has a positive predictive value (PPV) of 40.7%, indicating a 40.7% chance that a patient who screened positive actually has NES [ 36 , 50 ]. On the other hand, a NEQ score ≥ 30 is a stronger predictor of NES, with a PPV of 72.7% [ 36 , 50 ]. Thus, using the NEQ score does not diagnose NES, as NEQ has a PPV of 44.7–72.7%, depending on the applied threshold [ 36 , 50 ].…”

“…On the other hand, a NEQ score ≥ 30 is a stronger predictor of NES, with a PPV of 72.7% [ 36 , 50 ]. Thus, using the NEQ score does not diagnose NES, as NEQ has a PPV of 44.7–72.7%, depending on the applied threshold [ 36 , 50 ]. This means that, depending on the threshold applied, participants who screen positive have a 44.7–72.7% chance of having NES.…”

“…Thus, a variety of factors that were not accounted for in the present study should be evaluated, aside from the chronotype, in order to explain NES. Last but not least, the PPV of the NEQ when applying the ≥30 threshold (72.7%) [ 36 , 50 ] may also explain the results, as it indicates that approximately 2/3 of the participants who screened positive for NES actually experience the syndrome, with the remaining 1/3 being false positive cases.…”