Night eating syndrome (NES) is a relatively recent problem and despite the increase in the number of publications over the last years, it is still often underdiagnosed and its methods of treatment are still being developed. Over the past years, various definitions of NES have appeared, and the lack of a comprehensive version significantly impeded the comparison of research results and delayed in-depth knowledge of the syndrome. People who have been diagnosed with NES should be monitored for stress and anxiety disorders. Consideration should be given to the use of appropriate treatment methods, such as relaxation training or exercises in coping skills. Night eating syndrome can be inductive to becoming overweight and obese. Further research into this health problem is recommended. Inclusion of night eating syndrome during diagnosis in patients with type 2 diabetes, insomnia, and other eating disorders or mental health problems should be taken into account.

Night eating syndrome; public health; mental health

Biernat J.: [Nutrition, food and health], pub. ASTRUM, Wrocław 1998

Ziemlański Ś., [Nutrition of adults, taking into account differing amounts of physical activity, (in:) Nutrition in healthy and ill persons, vol. 2, Hasik J., Gawęcki J., pub. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa 2000

Official website of the Polish National Food and Nutrition Institute, http://www.izz.waw.pl

O'Reardon J.P., Peshek A., Allison K.C., Night eating syndrome: Diagnosis, epidemiology and management, CNS Drugs. 2005;19(12):997-1008.

Jaworski M., Krupińska P., [Night eating syndrome in adults suffering from type 2 diabetes, Clinical Diabetology, vol. 1, p. 17-24, 2012, Via Medica]

Jakuszkowiak K., Cubała W.J., [Night eating syndrome - prevalence, diagnosis and treatment, Via Medica, vol. 1, nr 2, 107–111, 2004

Website of The National Eating Disorders Association https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/other-specified-feeding-or-eating-disorder

Bąk-Sosnowska M., [Night eating syndrome] http://www.psychiatria.pl/artykul/syndrom-nocnego-jedzenia/3363/2.html

de Zwaan M, Müller A, Allison KC, Brähler E, Hilbert A., Prevalence and correlates of night eating in the German general population. PLoS One. 2014 May 14;9(5):e97667.

Zadjali F, Al-Bulushi A, AlHassani F, Al Hinai M., Proportion of night eating syndrome in Arab population of Oman. J Eat Disord. 2015 Nov 25;3:43.

Vander Wal J.S., Night eating syndrome: A critical review of the literature, Clinical Psychology Review 2012; 32: 49–59

Uher I., Bukova A., Hancova M., Rimarova K., The Night-Eating Syndrome, Physical Activity and BMI Relationship in University Students

Morse S.A., Ciechanowski P.S., Katon W.J., Isn’t this just bedtime snacking? The potential adverse effects of nighteating symptoms on treatment adherence and outcomes in patients with diabetes, Diabetes Care 2006; 29: 1800–1804

Orhan F.O., Ozer U.G., Ozer A., Night eating syndrome among patients with depression, The Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences 2011; 48(3): 212-7.

Lundgren J.D., Allison K.C., Crow S., Prevalence of the Night Eating Syndrome in a Psychiatric Population, The American Journal of Psychiatry 2006; 163: 156–158

Saraçlı Ö., Atasoy N., Akdemir A., The prevalence and clinical features of the night eating syndrome in psychiatric out-patient population, Comprehensive Psychiatry 2015; 57: 79-84

Palmese L.B., Ratliff J.C., Reutenauer E.L., Prevalence of Night Eating in Obese Individuals with Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder, Comprehensive Psychiatry 2013; 54(3): 276-81

Pawlow L.A., O'Neil P.M., Malcom R.J., Night eating syndrome: Effects of brief relaxation training on stress, mood, hunger, and eating patterns, International Journal of Obesity 2003; 27(8): 970–978