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Night Eating is not an official type of eating disorder
listed in the Diagnostic Criteria, but it is a very common problem and may be one of the more frequent causes of obesity. Night Eating is a stress-related eating, sleeping and mood disorder that is associated with disordered neuroendocrine function.
Night Eating Disorder Statistics
* About 1-2 percent of the general population have severe impairments caused by night eating and night food craving.
* More than 5 percent of the patients seeking therapy for obesity report symptoms of night eating. (Source ANRED).
Night Eating Symptoms can range from:
* Excessive eating during night hours
* Binging during night hours
* Skipping of breakfast meal or snack at least four times per week
* Consuming more than half of ones daily calories after 7pm
* Irritability during night time hours
* Insomnia
* Hormone changes
* Mood swings (during night and morning hours, in particular)
Night Eating Disorder Causes
One recent study printed in the Journal of American Medicine Association categorizes the behavorial characteristics of the study participants in relation to plasma melatonin, leptin, and cortisol. These hormones have a direct relation and effect upon eating levels, sleep levels, and even mood. Such hormones are found at lower levels in those with Night Eating Disorder.
The Cyclical Effect
The avoidance or disinterest of morning consumption usually leads to overall less calories consumed during daytime hours. During night hours a person may become anxious or even depressed due to low serotonin levels resulting in high consumption of high carbohydrate foods. This consumption can often last several hours and several snacks or even small meals (lower caloric consumption of food than an average meal: under 300 calories).
Hormones
As experienced by Night Eating Disorder sufferers the ability to sleep is difficult. General irritability (from anxiety, stress, hormones, etc.) and mood swings may intefere with the calm ordinarily associated with positive restful sleep. Yet, the under-production of hormones has the potential to contribute to the insomnia and seemingly “vicious cycle” experienced by Night Eating Disorder patients.
Melatonin: the nightime rise in this hormone that accompanies sleep and restfulness is often absent in Night Eating Disorder patients. The problem that arises is the melatonin remains at low or constant levels often due to Night Eating Disorder. Thus the cycle become self-perpetuating.
Leptin: a hormone associated with appetite suppression especially during nighttime hours. This hormone enables comfort during sleep hours without hunger or appetite. The lack of a normal eating schedule (missing breakfast, late binges) and calorie consumption(often less than normal for a persons Body Mass Index; persons can be either obese and overconsuming or underconsuming most hours of the day due to missed meals) often prevent the creation/secretion (timing and quantity) of this hormone.
Here are some options for Night Eating Treatment:
1. Eat breakfast. Most people with Night Eating Disorder aren’t hungry in the morning. But if they can learn to stomach a morning meal, it can help stop their nighttime overeating, says psychologist Marci Gluck at the New York Obesity Research Center at ****. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital.
2. Control portions. If you find yourself succumbing to the urge for evening noshing, have some food. Just measure out portions and stop when that portion is finished.
3. Keep trigger foods out of the house. You know best what food is likely to call to you at your weakest moment. So load up on low-calorie, filling fare (raw veggies, fruit, soup) that can be consumed if the urge to eat surfaces. And there’s no need to avoid favorite foods altogether: Just buy a single serving that can be eaten once or twice a week.
4. Find alternatives to eating. Gluck advises her patients to make a list of nonfood-related activities that they can do when the urge for nighttime eating hits. Take a walk. Knit. Call a friend. Work on a photo album. Do a few push-ups or sit-ups.
5. Brush your teeth immediately after dinner. It’s one way to signal your brain that the meal — and eating for the day — is over.
http://www.eatingdisordersonline.com/...
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