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Night eating: prevalence and demographic correlates
Ruth H Striegel-Moore1, Debra L Franko, Douglas Thompson
1Department of Psychology, Wesleyan University, 207 High Street, Middletown, CT 06459, USA. rstriegel@wesleyan.edu
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|February 24, 2006
Summary
Night eating is most common on weekends and among young adults, not linked to BMI. Understanding these patterns is key for addressing night eating syndrome in populations.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Night eating is a core symptom of night eating syndrome.
- Understanding its prevalence and correlates is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and associated factors of night eating in adolescents and adults.
- Utilized two large, nationally representative survey databases.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (N=18,407) and Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (N=10,741).
- Calculated prevalence for three night eating definitions.
- Used logistic regression to assess correlates including day type, season, demographics, and BMI.
Main Results:
- Night eating was most prevalent on weekends and among young adults (18-30 years).
- Prevalence decreased with age, being lowest in those 65+.
- No significant association was found between night eating and BMI or obesity.
Conclusions:
- Population differences in night eating prevalence necessitate consideration of day type, age, and potentially gender and ethnicity.
- Further longitudinal research is required to clarify the relationship between night eating and obesity.