The role of light exposure in night eating syndrome
Night eating syndrome is a unique form of binge eating characterized by nighttime eating and/or waking up to eat during the night. This pattern of disordered eating can lead to sleep disruptions, weight gain, and other health problems.
There is evidence to suggest that light exposure may play a role in the development and/or exacerbation of night eating syndrome. For example, one study found that participants with night eating syndrome had significantly lower levels of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle, compared to those without the disorder.
Exposure to light can disrupt the production of melatonin and throw off the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. This may explain why night eating syndrome is more common in people who work night shifts or have other schedules that involve irregular sleep patterns.
In addition to disrupting melatonin production, light exposure at night can also increase appetite and lead to overeating. A study in rats found that rats exposed to light at night consumed more food than those that were not exposed to light.
While the exact role of light exposure in night eating syndrome is not yet clear, the available evidence suggests that it may play a role in the development and/or exacerbation of the disorder. If you are struggling with night eating syndrome, it may be helpful to limit your exposure to light in the evening and at night. This can be done by avoiding bright screens (e.g., computers, phones, and TVs) for at least 1 hour before bed and by sleeping in a dark room. Published here
Night eating syndrome: causes, symptoms, and treatment
If you’re one of the millions of people who struggle with nighttime eating, you may be all too familiar with the symptoms: waking up in the middle of the night feeling ravenous, raiding the fridge for snacks or scrounging for junk food late at night. Nighttime eating syndrome (NES) is much more than occasional night cravings. It’s a real disorder that can have serious consequences for your physical and mental health.
NES is characterized by recurrent episodes of night eating, including waking up to eat at night and eating more after dinner than is considered normal. People with NES often eat high-calorie, sugary foods late at night and may feel guilty or ashamed about their eating habits.
NES is a relatively new disorder and there is still much to learn about its causes. However, research suggests that NES may be related to disruptions in the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. People with NES often have difficulty sleeping and may have other sleep disorders, such as insomnia.
NES is more common in women than men and is more likely to occur in people who are overweight or obese. It’s also been linked to other mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
The good news is that NES is treatable. If you think you may have NES, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. They can help you develop a treatment plan that may include lifestyle changes, such as developing a healthy sleep schedule, and psychological therapy. Medications may also be used to treat underlying conditions, such as sleep disorders or depression.
We used mengeredstoo.co.uk to write this article about night eating syndrome. Published here.