Night Eating Syndrome and Its Association With Depression Among College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Night eating syndrome (NES) is categorized as an eating disorder characterized by a delayed circadian rhythm of food intake and involves evening hyperphagia and/or nighttime awakening and food consumption two or more times per week. Young adults showed a higher prevalence of night eating, and students who reported high stress, irregular sleep patterns, and disordered eating may be more likely to develop NES symptoms. Objective This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Night Eating Syndrome among college students in Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu (India) and to find out the association between NES and socio-demographic variables and depression among the students. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among 223 college students in the Chengalpattu district. They were selected through a simple random sampling method. The Revised Night Eating Diagnostic Questionnaire was used to assess NES, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess the level of depression among students. Results The prevalence of NES among college students was found to be 37.3%. Out of 223 students, 38 had mild, 26 had moderate, and 19 had severe NES. We also found that depression (<0.001) and BMI (<0.001) were statistically associated with NES in the study population. Conclusion Night Eating Syndrome is a significant concern among college students. It is characterized by a delayed pattern of food intake, often leading to disrupted sleep and eating cycles, and is frequently accompanied by depression. The prevalence of NES in this demographic highlights the need for increased awareness and targeted interventions.