Night eating, weight, and health behaviors in adults participating in the Daily24 study

Michelle R. Lent, Molly Atwood, Wendy L. Bennett, Thomas B. Woolf, Lindsay Martin, Di Zhao, Attia A. Goheer, Shanshan Song, Kathleen M. McTigue, Harold P. Lehmann, Katherine Holzhauer, Janelle W. Coughlin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Night eating syndrome (NES) is associated with adverse health outcomes. This study evaluated the relationship between night eating severity, weight, and health behaviors. Methods: Participants (N = 1017; 77.6% female, mean Body Mass Index (BMI) = 30.5, SD = 7.8 kg/m2, age = 51.1, SD = 15.0 years) were recruited from three health systems. Participants completed the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ) and questionnaires assessing sleep, chronotype, physical activity, diet, weight, and napping. Results: In the overall sample, higher NEQ scores were associated with higher BMI (p <.001) and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (p <.001), as well as lower fruit/vegetable consumption (p =.001). Higher NEQ scores were associated with increased odds of having overweight/obesity (p <.001), eating fast food (p <.001), moderate-vigorous physical activity (p =.005), and smoking (p =.004). Participants who exceeded the screening threshold for NES (n = 48, 4.7%) reported elevated BMI (p =.014), an increased likelihood of overweight/obesity (p =.004), greater sugar-sweetened beverages consumption (p <.001), napping less than twice per week (p =.029), shorter sleep duration (p =.012), and a later chronotype (M = 4:55, SD = 2:45). Conclusion: Night eating severity was associated with obesity and intake of fast food and sugar-sweetened beverages. Interventions to address night eating and associated behaviors may enhance the efficacy of weight management interventions and promote engagement in positive health behaviors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number101605
JournalEating Behaviors
Volume45
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2022

Keywords

  • Body weight
  • Dietary intake
  • Night eating syndrome
  • Physical activity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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