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Night eating syndrome in class II–III obesity: metabolic and psychopathological features

International Journal of Obesity volume 33, pages 899–904 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the relationship of metabolic disorders and psychological features with the night eating syndrome (NES) in individuals with moderate-to-severe obesity.

Design:

Cross-sectional observation.

Subjects:

A total of 266 consecutive participants with class II–III obesity, entering an inpatient weight loss program.

Measurements:

Participants who reported consuming either a large amount of their caloric intake after the evening meal (roughly self-assessed as ⩾25% of daily calories) or the presence of nocturnal feeding at the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ) (N=49) were interviewed by the Night Eating Syndrome History and Inventory (NESHI). Assessment also included the clinical/biochemical parameters of the metabolic syndrome and several questionnaires of psychopathology. NES was diagnosed by NESHI criteria (evening hyperphagia (⩾25% of daily food intake after the evening meal) and/or waking at night to eat at least three times a week) in the last 3 months.

Results:

Twenty-seven participants (10.1%) met NESHI criteria. Differences were not observed between participants with and without NES as to age, body mass index (BMI), prevalence of metabolic syndrome, Binge Eating Scale and Body Shape Questionnaire. NES participants had significantly higher scores of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Impact of Weight on Quality of Life (IWQOL). Among NES cases, the BDI score was indicative of moderate depression in 18.5% of cases and of severe depression in 44.4%. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for confounders, identified the BDI score as the only variable significantly associated with the diagnosis of NES.

Conclusion:

Diagnosing NES does not help identify obese individuals with specific medical complications, but indicates more severe psychological distress and depression.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Eating and Weight Disorder, Villa Garda Hospital, Garda (Vr), Italy

    S Calugi & R Dalle Grave

  2. Unit of Clinical Dietetics, ‘Alma Mater’ University of Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy

    G Marchesini

Authors
  1. S Calugi
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  2. R Dalle Grave
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  3. G Marchesini
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Correspondence to G Marchesini.

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Calugi, S., Dalle Grave, R. & Marchesini, G. Night eating syndrome in class II–III obesity: metabolic and psychopathological features. Int J Obes 33, 899–904 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2009.105

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2009.105

Keywords

  • night eating
  • depression
  • binge eating
  • psychological distress
  • obesity treatment
  • eating disorders

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