The role of stress in triggering night eating syndrome

A new study has found that stress may play a role in triggering night eating syndrome (NES), a newly recognized disorder characterized by compulsive overeating at night. The study, published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, provides the first evidence linking NES to stress.

NES is a relatively new disorder that was only recognized in the last decade. It is characterized by three key symptoms:

1. Compulsive overeating at night, often after the evening meal

2. Insomnia or difficulty sleeping

3. Morning anorexia, or loss of appetite

NES affects an estimated 1-2% of the population and is more common in women than men. It has been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.

The new study, conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, suggests that stress may play a role in triggering NES. The study included 60 participants with NES and 60 healthy controls. Participants were asked about their stress levels, diet, and sleep habits.

The results showed that stress was significantly associated with NES. Participants with NES were more likely to report higher levels of stress than controls. This association was strongest in participants who reported compulsive overeating at night.

The study also found that participants with NES were more likely to have a history of dieting than controls. This suggests that dieting may be a risk factor for NES.

The findings of this study provide the first evidence linking stress to NES. This association may help to explain why NES is more common in women than men, as women tend to experience higher levels of stress than men.

Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the mechanisms by which stress contributes to NES. However, the findings of this study suggest that stress reduction may be an effective treatment for NES..More information

The role of light exposure in night eating syndrome

Night eating syndrome (NES) is a condition that is characterized by recurrent episodes of night eating, as well as morning anorexia and insomnia. Researchers believe that light exposure may play a role in the development and/or maintenance of NES.

NES is a relatively new disorder, and thus, much of the research on its etiology is still in its infancy. However, several studies have suggested that light exposure may be a contributing factor to the development and/or maintenance of NES.

For example, one study found that individuals with NES had significantly lower levels of evening melatonin than individuals without NES. Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted in response to darkness and promotes sleepiness.

Furthermore, individuals with NES were found to have significantly higher levels of cortisol in the evening, which is thought to contribute to insomnia. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is secreted in response to light exposure.

These findings suggest that individuals with NES may be more sensitive to light exposure than individuals without NES. This may explain why individuals with NES often eat at night, as they may be trying to avoid the light.

Treatment for NES typically includes a combination of behavioral and psychological interventions. However, given the role of light exposure in the development and/or maintenance of NES, it is possible that light exposure reduction could be an effective treatment for NES.

If you suffer from NES, there are a few things you can do to reduce your light exposure. First, avoid bright lights in the evening and try to sleep in a dark room.

Second, avoid blue light exposure in the evening by wearing blue-blocking glasses or using blue-light blocking software on your electronic devices. Third, try to get outside during the daytime to expose yourself to natural light.

If you are looking for more information on NES, or if you think you may suffer from NES, please speak to a mental health professional.

Visit mengeredstoo.co.uk to learn more about night eating syndrome. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.