Night Eating Syndrome and Its Impact on Health and Psychological Adjustment in Young People

Abstract

This study was conducted on a sample of young workers from most areas of Greater Tripoli to determine the prevalence of Night Eating Syndrome (NES) and identify its psychological and behavioral characteristics. The study included a sample of 320 individuals. Data were collected through personal interviews using a specialized scale. The Chi-square test (χ²) was used to analyze significant differences between the affected and non-affected groups. An independent t-test was also used to compare the differences in the mean total achieved syndrome traits between the two groups, alongside logistic regression analysis, at a statistical significance level of P ≤ 0.05. Results indicated a prevalence rate of 2.8% of the total sample. The ages of all diagnosed cases ranged between 24 and 29 years. Diagnostic criteria, represented by morning anorexia and waking up at night to eat, showed high statistical significance (P < 0.001) with the final diagnosis. Affected individuals displayed a higher number of diagnostic features (3.00 ± 0.00) compared to non-affected individuals (1.47 ± 0.95) (P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the syndrome's prevalence rate or symptom severity between males and females. An ascending trend in the prevalence of NES was observed with increasing Body Mass Index (BMI), with the incidence rate peaking in the obesity category. Diagnosis was also associated with a 4.5-fold increased risk of being overweight or obese. Affected individuals tended to skip breakfast (P=0.000) and had a tendency to consume sweets, snacks, and fast food at night. Furthermore, 77.8% of affected individuals reported feeling distress related to their eating habits, compared to 38.6% of those not affected by the syndrome. The results of this study confirm the association of the syndrome with abnormal eating and sleep patterns, psychological problems, and an increased risk of obesity. The findings indicate that the age group of 24-29 years is the most vulnerable to this disorder, necessitating targeted awareness programs and clinical interventions specifically aimed at this group.