Night eating syndrome and night eating disorder are two newly recognized eating problems, although they have yet to actually be classified as eating disorders.  Both have also been described as mood disorders and sleep disorders.  We’ll discuss both disorders here.

Night Eating Syndrome

This is a disorder characterized by the following:

• The person has little appetite for breakfast and is not hungry for several hours after waking.
• Eats more food after dinner than during the meal.
• Eats more than half of daily food intake during and after dinner.
• May wake up and leave the bed to snack at night and may not be aware at the time of what they are doing.
• The person feels tense, anxious, upset, or guilty while eating.
• Has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.  Wakes frequently and then often eats.
• Foods eaten are often carbohydrates, sugary and starchy.
• Behavior is not like binge eating, in which large amounts of food are consumed in short periods of time.  Food is eaten continually throughout the evening hours.

The causes of night eating syndrome are not fully understood, but it is believed that individuals with the disorder are attempting to relieve stress by eating.  Studies indicate that they produce larger than normal amounts of cortisol, a stress hormone.  Eating may be the body’s attempt to neutralize the cortisol or slow down its production.

Night eating syndrome also appears to respond to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (a type of antidepressant medication).  This suggests there is a chemical component to the disorder. 

Researchers also find the heavy preference by night eaters for carbohydrates of interest.  Carbohydrates trigger the brain to produce “feel-good” neurochemicals.  This suggests that night eating may be an unconscious attempt to self-medicate mood problems and reduce stress.

Treatment for night eating syndrome usually includes the care of a physician to manage any medication as well as medical issues caused by obesity, which is a common problem with night eaters.  Treatment also involves a dietician to help develop meal plans that distribute calorie intake throughout the day so that the person is not so vulnerable to caloric loading in the evening.  A counselor can help teach new coping skills and stress reduction techniques.

Night Eating Disorder

This is a disorder characterized by the following:

• The person is not conscious during episodes of night eating.  It is much like sleep walking.
• They have no memories or only fragmentary memories when they awaken.
• When they wake and discover the evidence, they are embarrassed, ashamed, and afraid they may be losing their minds.
• They may deny they were up eating during the night, even when confronted with evidence.
• Foods eaten tend to be high-fat, high-sugar comfort foods that they deny themselves while awake.
• Sometimes they eat bizarre combinations of foods, such as raw bacon smeared with mayonnaise.
• Sometimes they eat non-food items, like a bar of soap that they have sliced like they would slice cheese.

People with night eating disorder are usually under a great deal of stress.  They may have anxiety disorders.  They often have other sleep disorders, such as sleep walking, restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnea. 

Treatment for night eating disorder is similar to that for night eating syndrome.  Medical care, a dietician, and counseling are all recommended.  Night eating disorder also appears to respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, so medication is a valid treatment option.  Sleeping pills are not recommended, and in fact may make the situation worse, by causing the person to be clumsy and putting them at risk for injury if they do get up during the night.