Investigating the Relationship Between Sleep Quality and Night Eating Syndrome in Overweight Iranian Medical Students

Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is an eating disorder linked to sleep disturbances, overweight status, and reduced quality of life. This study investigated the relationships among NES, sleep quality, and weight-related issues among medical students at Kermanshah University, a population prone to high stress and irregular routines.

This correlational analytical study included 353 medical students recruited via quota sampling (2022-2023). Participants completed an online survey comprising demographic data, the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U-tests, and Pearson correlation via SPSS version 24 to examine associations between NES, PSQI, and BMI.

The study found a low prevalence of clinical NES (0.8%), while 27.2% of students had poor sleep quality and 7.4% were overweight. There was a positive correlation between NES and PSQI global scores (r= 0.196, p <0.001), as well as with subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, medication use, and daytime dysfunction (p<0.05). Furthermore, NES was significantly more prevalent among overweight students compared to non-overweight students (p<0.01).

While clinical NES was rare among Iranian medical students, significant correlations were observed between NES, sleep quality, and BMI. Future longitudinal studies are recommended to clarify the causal pathways linking these variables. Additionally, interventions targeting sleep quality and stress management may help reduce night eating behaviors and associated weight outcomes.