Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the rate of night eating syndrome (NES) in a depressed population.
Method: The study sample was composed of 162 depressed patients and 172 healthy control participants.
Results: The rates of night eating in our sample with depression (35.2%) was higher as compared with healthy control participants (19.2%) (p less than 0.05). In addition, in the depression group, the rate of NES-positive patients did not differ in accordance with body mass index (BMI) classification (p more than 0.05). However, in the control group, the rate of NES-positive patients was significantly different with regard to BMI classification, and NES diagnosis was highest in the obese members of the control group (p less than 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis was then used to evaluate the relationships of four variables: depression, gender, education status and BMI with the diagnosis of NES. Results showed that significant independent predictors of NES were depression, gender, and a BMI of 25 or greater.
Discussion: This is the first study to find that depressed patients are at a significantly greater risk for NES. Depression, male gender and BMI may account for the high rate of NES found in this population.