Brilio.net - Have you ever heard of the term night eating syndrome? Maybe for some people it sounds strange. However, it turns out that everyone is often stalked, including students. Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is the behavior of consuming food in the hours after dinner. NES is characterized by periods of late night eating during the week.
When experiencing this syndrome, a person tends to eat late at night more often, does not like breakfast, and feels hungry before going to bed. On average, people who experience NES usually experience insomnia and mental disorders such as over-stress or depression.
In research published on the Airlangga University website, it was found that the prevalence of students experiencing NES could reach 15% in 2019. This syndrome apparently affects students' body mass index (BMI), which ultimately leads to obesity.
Apart from that, night eating syndrome also has an impact on quality of life and academic performance. Especially for people who adopt a sedentary or 'mageran' lifestyle, which many students do.
When you have NES, insomnia and lack of activity occur simultaneously. It can cause various risks of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney problems and cardiovascular problems.
Please note, NES was first described in 1955 by psychiatrist Albert Stunkard, who saw it as a behavioral variation of obesity. As a result, it is most often studied in the context of research on people who are obese. Compared to other eating disorders, there is little research on this subject.
It is estimated that 1.5% of the general population has NES. It occurs more frequently in certain populations. Prevalence rates are 6% to 14% among those who have lost weight, and 9% to 42% among candidates for bariatric surgery.
So what are the symptoms and causes of someone suffering from night eating syndrome? Check out the full review below! Adapted by brilio.net from various sources, Thursday (18/7)
Symptoms of night eating syndrome (NES).
Get to know night eating syndrome, its causes, symptoms & treatment
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1. Often wakes up at night to eat.
2. Eat a lot at night. Both heavy meals and snacks.
3. Appetite tends to decrease during the day. NES sufferers usually experience intense hunger, occurring in the afternoon and evening.
4. Feeling depressed. NES sufferers often have uncontrolled appetite, resulting in drastic weight gain. If weight increases, it tends to make NES sufferers feel embarrassed, sad, or even depressed.
5. Mood changes. Often feel excessively anxious at night. Especially after dinner at midnight.
Causes of night eating syndrome (NES).
Get to know night eating syndrome, its causes, symptoms & treatment
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The emergence of NES is influenced by disturbances in the body's sleep cycle or circadian rhythm. This condition can occur when the body's biological clock cannot adjust to sleeping and eating times. Apart from that, there are several factors that make a person susceptible to experiencing this syndrome, including:
1. People who experience mental disorders.
2. Use of antipsychotic drugs.
3. Diet during the day.
4. Smoking habit.
5. Depression.
6. Insomnia.
7. Sleep apnea.
8. Restless legs syndrome.
Treatment that can be done for sufferers of night eating syndrome (NES).
Get to know night eating syndrome, its causes, symptoms & treatment
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1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
This treatment is known to be successful in treating eating disorders. CBT focuses on the underlying thought patterns, which contribute to the NES condition.
When undergoing NES treatment, additional special focus can be given to changing eating patterns, from evening to daytime. So that it is in harmony with the wake and sleep cycle.
Apart from that, patients are asked to eat breakfast so they can readjust their eating patterns.
2. Phototherapy or light therapy.
Phototherapy or light therapy, is a step that is believed to affect the body's melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that plays a role in helping regulate circadian rhythms. The target is disruption of circadian rhythms, by trying to reset the body clock using light.
3. Certain medications.
Lastly, there is psychiatric medication. This NES treatment procedure is believed to support the healing process for eating disorders in general.