Question:
Night Eating Syndrome- Anyone else have these symptoms?

Wow, I was researching eating disorders for a paper I have to write, and I came across this entry, which really caught my attention. I guess it is not officially a diagnosable condition yet, but it might be in the future. It describes me so well, it just gives me the willies. Did anyone else have the same problems?<br><br> <b>Night eating syndrome</b><br> <u>Signs and symptoms</u> <br> The person has little or no appetite for breakfast. Delays first meal for several hours after waking up. Is not hungry or is upset about how much was eaten the night before. <br> Eats more food after dinner than during that meal.<br> Eats more than half of daily food intake after dinner but before breakfast. <br> This pattern has persisted for at least two months. <br> Person feels tense, anxious, upset, or guilty while eating.<br> Person may be moody at night: tense, anxious, nervous, depressed, etc. <br> Has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Wakes frequently and then often eats.<br> Foods ingested are often carbohydrates: sugary and starch.<br> Behavior is not like binge eating which is done in relatively short episodes. Night-eating syndrome involves continual eating throughout evening hours. <br> This eating produces guilt and shame, not enjoyment. <br> <u>How many people have night-eating syndrome?</u> <br> Perhaps only one to two percent (1-2%) of adults in the general population have this problem, but one study suggests that more than a quarter (27%) of people who are overweight by at least 100 pounds eat this way. <br> <u>Comments</u><br> Night-eating syndrome has not yet been formally defined as an eating disorder. Underlying causes are being identified, and treatment plans are still being developed. It seems likely that a combination of biological, genetic, and emotional factors contribute to the problem.<br> Researchers are especially interested in the foods chosen by night eaters. The heavy preference for carbohydrates, which trigger the brain to produce so-called "feel-good" neurochemicals, suggests that night eating may be an unconscious attempt to self-medicate mood problems.<br> If you are seeking help for night-eating syndrome, you would be wise to schedule a complete physical exam with your physician and also an evaluation with a counselor trained in the field of eating disorders. In addition, a dietitian can help develop meal plans that distribute intake more evenly throughout the day so that you are not so vulnerable to caloric loading in the evening. <br> http://www.anred.com/nes.html    — Jennifer Y. (posted on May 20, 2002)

May 19, 2002
OMG, well, that just described me for about my whole life! I had previously been diagnosed with Binge eating disorder, but this description is definately more like it! I would imagine there is alot of us who have these symptoms, probably more than this states. The good news is... I am just about 1 year post op and I am CURED!!! I really don't eat much after dinner at all anymore, and if I do it is usually something very harmless like SF jello or something. And I mean I used to eat everything in the kitchen at night, all night long and definately mostly carbs and sugary stuff... all night long! So, for anyone else who sees themselves in the above description, there is hope and you can beat it! I am down 117 pounds, 6 pounds below goal and loving life! Much love,
   — Vicki K.

May 20, 2002
You just described my life pre-WLS :p I always ate more between 10p-1am than I did when I wok up and for lunch. Now that I had WLS I try to limit it. My dietician wants me to eat 6 small 2oz meals a day so I keep one meal for after "dinner" so that I can still feel like I'm living normal. I don't obsess over it anymore. I know now that I'm doing right since I eat my meals and drink more than enough decaf tea and water to do what I'm s'posed to :)
   — Renee V.

May 20, 2002
There's a name for this? LOL Thanks for sharing this info. I am scheduled for surgery on June 5th, so I am on a liquid diet already. However, I find that I could just about gnaw through a chair after dinner. :) I almost never eat breakfast, and if I do, it's the same as lunch, just that I got up late. LOL
   — Maggie C.

May 20, 2002
Before my surgery ( a year ago) I didnt eat a thing before 6pm, and I got up at 5am to go to work everyday. But once 6pm would hit is when all the eating weould happen. I would go to bed around 10 and be up every 2-3 hours eating carbs and sugar stuff. After I had to eat in the day, I hated it but did what i had to do. Ialso found i would wake up in the middle and be starving, so i would eat sometyhing with protein. when i got further out and found i could go all nite without being hungry, thats when i started eating the bad stuff agin at nite. I dont sleep well due to chronic pain , so when i get up to go to the bathroom i have to go by the kitchen and grab a cookie or something. It is like an obession. I was doing well for awhile eating protein bars instead of sugar but for the last week i am back to sugary stuff. I started prenisdone? (sp?) ( steriods) last week and have been hungry constantly.
   — C. L.