Table of Contents
Introduction
Night Eating Syndrome, often shortened to NES, is a condition where a person eats a large part of their daily food late in the evening or during the night. Many people occasionally grab a snack before bed or wake up hungry once in a while, so it is easy to think of night eating as a small or harmless habit. But Night Eating Syndrome is not just casual late-night snacking. It is considered a real medical and psychological condition that involves a pattern of eating and sleeping that feels difficult to control. People who experience it often feel stuck in a cycle where they do not feel hungry during the day, especially in the morning, but feel strong hunger or urges to eat after dinner or when they wake up from sleep at night.
Researchers and health professionals now recognize NES as a disorder that sits at the intersection of eating behavior, sleep regulation, and emotional health. This means that it is influenced by both the body and the mind. It involves changes in hormones that control hunger and sleep, along with stress levels, learned habits, and how a person copes with emotions. Because of this, Night Eating Syndrome can be confusing and frustrating for those who experience it. Many people report that they want to stop or reduce their night eating but cannot, which often leads to guilt, worry, or shame. The emotional toll can be just as significant as the physical effects.
It is important to understand that Night Eating Syndrome is different from simply overeating or having cravings now and then. In NES, nighttime eating becomes a repeated pattern that affects normal life. A person may regularly wake up in the night to eat and have clear memories of doing it. They may also skip breakfast or feel uninterested in food during the day because so many calories were consumed overnight. Over time, this shift in eating patterns can disrupt the body’s natural internal clock. The body begins to expect food during nighttime hours, which makes the cycle even harder to break.
Night Eating Syndrome has gained more attention in recent years, both in medical research and among mental health professionals. Increased awareness has helped more people recognize the signs and seek help. Still, many individuals who struggle with nighttime eating either do not know that NES exists or believe the behavior is simply a personal weakness. Understanding the condition can help replace self-blame with knowledge and support. NES is not caused by a lack of willpower. It develops from a mix of biological rhythms, emotional needs, and routine behaviors that become deeply ingrained.
The goal of this article is to provide clear and useful information about Night Eating Syndrome so that readers can understand what it is, why it occurs, and what can be done to treat it. This article will explain how NES is defined in medical terms, how common it is, and what symptoms are most noticeable. It will also explore why it develops and what risk factors make it more likely. Understanding the difference between NES and other eating-related conditions, such as binge eating disorder, is also important for proper diagnosis and treatment. The article will also address how NES relates to sleep patterns and what health problems may arise if it is left untreated.
Finally, the article will discuss different treatment approaches that have been shown to help. These include therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, treatment for sleep problems, and possible medical treatments supervised by healthcare professionals. Practical steps that individuals can try at home will also be included, as well as guidance on when professional support is needed.
By learning more about Night Eating Syndrome, readers can better understand their own experiences or those of others. While NES can be challenging, it is a treatable condition. Many people improve once they receive the right support and develop new patterns for eating and sleep. Understanding is the first step toward change, and this article is designed to help start that process.
What Is Night Eating Syndrome?
Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is a recognized eating and sleep-related disorder that involves a pattern of eating late in the evening or during the night. It is more than just occasionally staying up and having a snack. NES affects the body’s internal rhythms, appetite patterns, mood, and sleep quality. People with NES often feel that eating late at night is something they cannot control, even when they want to change the behavior. Understanding what NES is helps explain why it feels so difficult to simply “stop” nighttime eating.
Clinical Definition
NES is defined by a delay in the normal pattern of eating. Most people consume most of their calories during the day, and especially earlier in the day. However, individuals with NES shift their food intake toward the evening and night. They may eat little or no breakfast, but become very hungry or emotionally driven to eat after dinner or during the night.
This disorder is recognized in medical and psychological research, and it appears in clinical guidelines used by healthcare providers. NES is classified as both an eating disorder and a sleep disorder because it involves disrupted sleep patterns and disturbed eating habits.
Diagnostic Criteria
Doctors use specific criteria to diagnose Night Eating Syndrome. These criteria help separate NES from ordinary late-night snacking or a temporary change in lifestyle.
Below are the main features commonly required for diagnosis:
- A Large Portion of Food Is Consumed in the Evening or at Night
Individuals with NES usually consume at least 25 percent of their total daily calories after their evening meal. For example, someone may eat small meals throughout the day, but once evening comes, they begin to eat more heavily. - Nighttime Eating Episodes Occur at Least Twice a Week
A person with NES often wakes up during the night to eat, at least two times per week or more. These episodes are not isolated events. They happen regularly and may become a normal part of the person’s sleep routine. - Full Awareness of Eating Episodes
People with NES are usually awake and aware when they eat at night. They remember eating. This is important because it separates NES from a different condition called Sleep-Related Eating Disorder (SRED), where a person may eat in their sleep without memory of it the next day. - Morning Appetite Is Low or Absent
Because so many calories are consumed late in the evening or overnight, people with NES often have little need or desire for breakfast. They may skip morning meals altogether. - Emotional Factors Are Often Present
Nighttime eating is often linked to feelings like stress, anxiety, loneliness, or sadness. Eating may provide temporary comfort or relief. Over time, this can become a learned pattern that repeats nightly. - Distress or Impairment in Daily Life
NES is diagnosed only when the pattern causes problems. This may include daytime fatigue, guilt about eating habits, weight gain, difficulty sleeping, or trouble focusing during the day.
How NES Differs From Simple Late-Night Snacking
Many people eat snacks in the evening on occasion. This can be influenced by habit, culture, or personal routine. However, Night Eating Syndrome is different in several key ways:
- NES involves a consistent and repetitive pattern, not occasional behavior.
- Individuals feel a loss of control, as if the nighttime urges are stronger than their decision-making.
- NES is linked to disrupted sleep and emotional distress.
- The eating behavior is not simply boredom eating, but is tied to internal biological and psychological factors.
Why Recognizing NES Matters
Understanding that NES is a recognized disorder is important. It shows that this behavior is not caused by poor discipline or a lack of willpower. NES develops because the body’s natural rhythms for hunger, hormones, and sleep are out of balance. Treatment does not focus on blame, but on restoring these rhythms and teaching new patterns that support healthy sleep and eating habits.
Recognizing NES allows individuals and healthcare providers to address the condition with compassion, clarity, and effective treatment strategies. It also helps reduce shame, which is often a barrier to seeking help.
How Common Is Night Eating Syndrome and Who Is Affected?
Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is more common than many people realize, but it can still be misunderstood because it often happens in private. People may feel embarrassed about eating at night or may not realize that their pattern has a name. Understanding how common it is and who is likely to experience it can help reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek help.
Prevalence in the General Population
Studies suggest that Night Eating Syndrome affects about 1 to 1.5% of the general population. This may sound small, but it represents millions of people worldwide. Among individuals who seek treatment for weight-related concerns, the rate appears much higher. Research shows that between 6 to 16% of people in weight loss programs may have NES. The numbers can also be higher in people who are preparing for or recovering from bariatric (weight loss) surgery.
Night eating can sometimes appear in short periods during stressful times, but Night Eating Syndrome is different. NES is a long-term pattern that continues for months or years unless treated. Many people with NES have struggled with nighttime eating throughout adulthood, and some describe similar patterns beginning in adolescence.
Groups More Likely to Be Affected
Night Eating Syndrome does not affect everyone in the same way. Certain groups show higher rates due to underlying biological, emotional, or behavioral factors. Some examples include:
People with Mood Disorders
There is a strong link between NES and mood conditions such as depression and anxiety. Individuals with NES often report higher emotional stress, especially in the evening. Some studies suggest that the pattern of eating at night may be used to soothe or manage emotional discomfort. Nighttime can be quiet, and feelings may seem stronger, which may lead someone to use food as a coping tool. However, this behavior often becomes a cycle: emotional distress leads to eating at night, which then leads to guilt or shame, causing more emotional distress.
Individuals with Sleep Disorders
Night Eating Syndrome is classified as both an eating disorder and a sleep-related disorder. People with insomnia or irregular sleep patterns are more likely to develop NES. When sleep is disturbed, hormones that regulate hunger and fullness may become unbalanced. For example, cortisol (the stress hormone) may be higher at night, while melatonin (the sleep hormone) may be lower. This shift can increase hunger in the evening and during the night.
People Living with Obesity or Metabolic Conditions
NES does not always lead to obesity, but many individuals with NES do gain weight over time. Eating late at night can affect how the body stores energy. The metabolism naturally slows down in the evening, so nighttime eating can contribute to weight gain. In addition, nighttime eating patterns may impact blood sugar regulation. This can lead to insulin resistance, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes over time.
Age and Gender Patterns
Night Eating Syndrome can affect both men and women, though research suggests it may be slightly more common in women. NES is often first identified in early adulthood, but it can also appear in teenagers. Stress, life transitions, and changes in sleep habits during young adulthood may contribute to this timing. Older adults can also develop NES, especially if they struggle with chronic stress, irregular routines, or sleep disruptions.
Cultural and Lifestyle Considerations
Culture and daily routines also play a role. People who work late shifts or have unpredictable schedules may have disrupted eating and sleeping cycles. This can make nighttime hunger more likely. In addition, environments where evening relaxation is paired with food (such as late-night TV snacks) can reinforce the behavior.
Night Eating Syndrome is not caused by lack of willpower. It is influenced by how the brain regulates hunger, stress, and sleep. It is a medical and behavioral condition that often requires thoughtful treatment. By recognizing who is affected and how common NES is, individuals and healthcare professionals can better understand the importance of seeking help instead of dismissing the behavior as a “bad habit.”
What Causes Night Eating Syndrome? (Biological, Psychological, and Behavioral Factors)
Night Eating Syndrome (NES) does not come from one single cause. Instead, it develops from a combination of biological, psychological, and learned behavioral factors that affect how a person experiences hunger, sleep, and stress. Understanding these causes can help explain why night eating feels automatic or difficult to control, even when a person wants to stop. Below are the major areas that researchers believe play a role in NES.
Disruption of Circadian Rhythms
Circadian rhythms are the body’s internal 24-hour clock that helps control sleep, energy levels, hormones, and appetite throughout the day. In people without NES, appetite is usually highest during the daytime and early evening, and lowest at night when the body prepares for sleep.
In people with NES, these rhythms may shift out of alignment. This can lead to:
- Reduced hunger in the morning, making breakfast feel unappealing or unnecessary.
- Stronger hunger signals in the late evening, often after dinner.
- Increased desire to eat when waking up during the night.
Studies show that people with NES may have lower levels of melatonin in the evening, which signals the brain that it is time to sleep. If melatonin is delayed or reduced, the body may stay more alert later into the night, and appetite hormones may rise when they should be falling. This misalignment makes the body feel as though nighttime is the appropriate time to eat, even when physically resting.
Hormonal Imbalances That Affect Hunger and Stress
Hormones play a large role in night eating. Two important hormones in this condition are:
- Cortisol, often called the stress hormone.
- Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood and appetite.
People with Night Eating Syndrome may have higher evening cortisol levels, which signal stress in the body. High cortisol can:
- Increase hunger.
- Lead to emotional eating.
- Make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep.
At the same time, serotonin levels may be lower. Serotonin helps regulate mood and supports feelings of calmness and fullness after eating. Low serotonin may cause:
- Increased cravings for carbohydrates, especially sweets or starchy foods.
- A stronger urge to eat to feel comforted or soothed.
- Difficulty controlling impulses to eat.
Together, high cortisol and low serotonin can create a cycle where the body seeks food at night to reduce stress temporarily. Eating may provide short-term relief, but the urge returns again the next night.
Sleep Disruption and Nighttime Awakenings
Night Eating Syndrome is closely connected to sleep disturbances. Many people with NES have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. This may happen because the brain does not shift properly into the night-time rest state. When sleep is interrupted, the hunger system may “switch on.”
Night wakings combined with hunger signals can lead to:
- Eating as a way to fall back asleep.
- The brain learning that waking up means it is time to eat.
- A cycle in which eating reinforces more nighttime awakenings.
Over time, the body begins to expect food during the night, strengthening the behavior.
Stress, Anxiety, and Emotional Coping
Psychological factors also play a major role. Many people with NES report higher levels of stress, anxiety, or depressed mood. Eating may provide temporary emotional relief. Food, especially foods high in sugar or fat, can trigger the release of dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure and comfort.
When emotional stress becomes routine, nighttime eating can become a learned coping strategy. This means the brain forms a strong link between emotional discomfort and eating as a solution. Even once a person recognizes this pattern, it can feel difficult to break.
Learned and Habit-Based Patterns
Over time, nighttime eating becomes a habit. The body begins to rely on nighttime eating, and hunger cues shift to support this behavior. This can happen even if the original cause was stress or disrupted sleep. Habit-based patterns include:
- Skipping breakfast because of nighttime eating, which increases evening hunger later.
- Eating in bed, which makes the bedroom a trigger for hunger.
- Using food as part of a “wind-down” routine before sleep.
These habits strengthen the cycle and can continue even when stress reduces or mood improves.
Night Eating Syndrome is a complex condition influenced by body chemistry, emotional health, and learned behaviors. Understanding these causes is a key step in recognizing that NES is not simply a lack of willpower. It is a disorder involving both the brain and the body, and it benefits from structured, supportive treatment.
Common Signs and Symptoms: How to Recognize Night Eating Syndrome
Night Eating Syndrome (NES) can look different from person to person, but there are several clear signs that help identify it as more than just a habit of snacking at night. These symptoms occur regularly and interfere with sleep, mood, and daily energy levels. Understanding these symptoms can be an important first step toward seeking support and treatment.
Recurrent Evening or Nighttime Eating
One of the main signs of NES is eating a large portion of food in the evening or during the night. People with NES often consume at least 25% of their total daily calories after their evening meal. This may include:
- Eating late-night snacks even when they do not feel physically hungry.
- Feeling a strong “pull” toward food after dark.
- Waking up one or more times during the night to eat and then returning to sleep.
Unlike sleep-related eating disorder (SRED), which occurs during sleep with little or no memory, individuals with NES are usually fully awake during night eating episodes and can recall these episodes later.
Lack of Appetite in the Morning
Many people with NES report that they are not hungry in the morning. They may skip breakfast regularly or feel unable to eat until several hours after waking. This lack of morning appetite is not due to forgetting to eat, but rather because the body’s internal clock is shifted. Their hunger cues are delayed into the evening and nighttime hours.
This shift is closely linked to changes in hormones that drive hunger and fullness. For example:
- Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, may be higher at night.
- Leptin, the hormone that signals fullness, may be lower at night.
This pattern makes morning meals unappealing and nighttime meals harder to control.
Strong Cravings for High-Calorie, High-Carbohydrate Foods at Night
People with NES often crave foods that provide quick energy and comfort. These usually include:
- Bread, pasta, cereal
- Cookies, chocolate, ice cream
- Chips or other salty snacks
These foods trigger a fast release of dopamine, a brain chemical associated with reward and relief from stress. Because many individuals with NES experience emotional or mental tension in the evenings, these cravings can feel intense and difficult to resist.
Over time, the body can learn to associate nighttime with emotional relief from food, creating a repeating cycle that becomes hard to break without support.
Difficulty Falling or Staying Asleep
Night Eating Syndrome is closely tied to sleep disruption. Many people with NES:
- Have trouble falling asleep.
- Wake up frequently at night.
- Feel restless or unrefreshed in the morning.
Sometimes, waking up to eat may feel like the only way to fall back asleep. This happens because eating can briefly calm or soothe the nervous system. However, this also strengthens the habit, making nighttime eating more likely to continue.
Research shows that individuals with NES may have delayed melatonin release, which means their bodies signal “bedtime” later than most people. This disrupts the natural sleep cycle and increases nighttime hunger.
Emotional Distress and Guilt About Eating Patterns
Even though nighttime eating may feel like a physical urge, many people with NES feel upset or worried about their eating behavior. They might:
- Feel ashamed about eating during the night.
- Hide food wrappers or avoid telling others about the behavior.
- Fear weight gain or feel discouraged about their health.
- Feel as if they are “out of control” around nighttime eating.
This emotional distress is an important part of the diagnosis. NES is not just about eating; it affects mental and emotional well-being.
Impact on Daytime Mood, Energy, and Functioning
Over time, NES can interfere with daily life. People may experience:
- Fatigue or sleepiness during the day.
- Trouble concentrating at school or work.
- Irritability, sadness, or anxiety related to disrupted sleep or food patterns.
- Lower motivation to exercise or take on daily tasks.
Because the body’s hunger and sleep cycles are shifted, energy levels may stay low during the morning and midday. This makes regular routines harder to maintain, which can reinforce the cycle of late-night eating and poor sleep.
Recognizing these symptoms is important. NES is not about lack of discipline or poor eating habits. It is a disorder involving both biological and psychological factors. Understanding the symptoms helps individuals know when it may be time to reach out for medical or mental health support. With proper treatment and guidance, Night Eating Syndrome is manageable, and many people recover and regain healthier patterns of eating and sleep.
How Is Night Eating Syndrome Diagnosed?
Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is diagnosed through a careful evaluation done by healthcare professionals. It does not have a single lab test or quick screening that can confirm it on its own. Instead, diagnosis requires looking at a person’s daily eating habits, sleep patterns, emotional health, and how these behaviors affect their life. Doctors, psychologists, sleep specialists, and dietitians may all play a role in the process.
Clinical Interview and Personal History
The first step is usually a clinical interview. During this conversation, a healthcare provider asks questions to understand what is happening and how long the nighttime eating has been occurring. The goal is to learn when the eating occurs, how much is eaten, and whether the person is aware of the behavior.
Questions may include:
- Do you often eat after your evening meal?
- Do you wake up during the night to eat?
- How hungry do you feel in the morning?
- Do you remember eating episodes after they happen?
- Do you feel stressed, sad, or anxious before or after eating at night?
The provider also asks about medical history. This includes past or current depression, anxiety, sleep problems, weight changes, or hormonal issues. Many people with NES also experience stress or mood symptoms, so understanding emotional health is important.
This conversation also helps rule out simple late-night snacking, which is common and does not mean a person has a disorder.
Food and Sleep Diaries
Doctors often ask patients to keep a food and sleep diary for one to two weeks. This is a written record that may include:
- All meals and snacks throughout the day and night.
- Times when food is eaten.
- Hunger levels before and after eating.
- Sleep and wake times.
- Nighttime awakenings.
- Emotional state during the evening and night.
These diaries help reveal behavior patterns. For example, a person with NES may skip breakfast, feel hungrier in the evening, and regularly wake up to eat, especially high-calorie foods. Recording these details makes it easier for professionals to see how eating and sleep patterns are connected.
Screening Questionnaires
Doctors may use questionnaires to support diagnosis. One common tool is the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ). This questionnaire asks about:
- Evening hunger levels
- Strong urges to eat in the evening or night
- Sleep quality
- Feelings of control around nighttime eating
- Mood changes related to eating
High scores suggest the presence of NES and may lead to further assessment.
In some cases, doctors may also use general eating disorder questionnaires to rule out other conditions.
Distinguishing NES From Sleep-Related Eating Disorder
A key step in diagnosis is making sure the condition is not Sleep-Related Eating Disorder (SRED), which is a different condition. The main difference is awareness.
In Night Eating Syndrome, people are aware that they are eating at night. They remember the episodes the next morning.
In Sleep-Related Eating Disorder, people often do not remember eating. Eating episodes happen during partial sleep, almost like sleepwalking. Individuals may discover messes in the kitchen or missing food without memory of eating it.
Understanding this difference matters because treatment for the two conditions is not the same.
Medical Testing if Needed
There is no blood test that diagnoses NES directly. However, doctors may order tests to check for health effects linked to nighttime eating, such as:
- Blood sugar levels
- Insulin levels
- Cholesterol and triglycerides
- Thyroid function
If sleep disruption is severe, a sleep study may be recommended to look for related sleep disorders.
These tests help evaluate overall health and guide treatment decisions.
When to Seek a Professional Evaluation
A person should seek evaluation for NES if they:
- Eat a large part of their daily food after dinner
- Wake up at night to eat at least once or twice a week
- Often skip breakfast due to lack of morning appetite
- Feel stress, guilt, or frustration about nighttime eating
- Notice sleep disruption or daytime fatigue due to nighttime eating
Recognizing symptoms early can help prevent long-term health problems. With proper diagnosis, a treatment plan can be developed that addresses both eating habits and sleep patterns.
Night Eating Syndrome vs. Binge Eating Disorder: What’s the Difference?
Night Eating Syndrome (NES) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) are both eating disorders, but they are not the same. They involve different eating behaviors, emotional patterns, and effects on sleep and daily life. Many people confuse the two because both conditions include eating when not physically hungry, and both can be linked to stress or emotional difficulty. However, the timing of eating, the amount of food eaten, and the sense of control during the eating episode are what separate the two. Understanding these differences helps ensure correct diagnosis and proper treatment.
How Night Eating Syndrome Works
Night Eating Syndrome is mainly about when a person eats. People with NES often eat very little in the morning and may not feel hungry until later in the day. Their appetite increases in the evening, and they may eat a large part of their daily calories late at night. Some people also wake up during the night to eat and then go back to sleep.
A key feature of NES is that the person is aware of the eating. They can remember the foods they ate during the night. The eating is usually intentional, not automatic. In many cases, individuals feel that eating helps them relax, reduce anxiety, or fall asleep. The night eating episodes often have an emotional purpose, such as calming stress or easing feelings of tension. This creates a pattern that links eating and sleep.
NES is closely connected to changes in the body’s internal clock, which is called the circadian rhythm. Hormones like melatonin, which helps with sleep, and cortisol, which responds to stress, can be out of balance. Hunger-regulating hormones, such as ghrelin and leptin, may also be affected. Because of this, a person with NES may feel hungry at night even if they ate enough during the day.
How Binge Eating Disorder Works
Binge Eating Disorder is different because it is defined by how much and how someone eats, not by the time of day. People with BED have episodes where they eat very large amounts of food within a short period of time, often much more than most people would eat in the same situation. During these episodes, the person often feels a loss of control, as if they cannot stop eating even if they want to.
These episodes are often followed by strong feelings of guilt, shame, or distress. Many people who experience binge eating use food as a coping tool during emotional stress. The binge itself may provide temporary relief, but afterward, the person may feel overwhelmed or upset.
Unlike NES, binge eating can occur at any time. Some people binge at night, but many binge during the day, especially when they are alone or feeling strong emotions.
Key Differences in Experience
One of the easiest ways to understand the difference is to look at the role of control and timing. In Night Eating Syndrome, the person usually eats smaller portions spread out during the night, and they remember and are aware of doing it. The behavior is linked to sleep and the rhythm of the day.
In Binge Eating Disorder, the person eats a large amount of food in one sitting, and during the episode, they feel out of control. The emotional response afterward is often intense.
Why These Differences Matter
These differences affect treatment. Because NES is closely tied to sleep and circadian rhythms, treatment often targets improving sleep habits, managing stress in the evening, and resetting the body’s internal clock. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), regular meal timing, and sometimes light therapy can be helpful.
For BED, treatment usually focuses on emotional coping skills, trauma history if present, and rebuilding a healthy relationship with hunger and fullness. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common approach.
Can Someone Have Both?
Yes, some people can have both NES and BED. For example, a person may binge eat at night and also wake up often to eat. When both conditions overlap, treatment may need to address both emotional eating patterns and sleep-related eating patterns at the same time.
Night Eating Syndrome focuses on nighttime eating and its connection to sleep and stress. Binge Eating Disorder focuses on episodes of overeating and loss of control. Understanding the differences helps guide the right treatment and support, leading to better outcomes and improved well-being.
The Role of Sleep: How Night Eating and Sleep Disruption Influence Each Other
Night Eating Syndrome is closely linked to sleep. In fact, one of the key features of this condition is waking up during the night to eat. For many people, eating at night becomes a pattern that affects sleep quality, and poor sleep then makes the urge to eat at night even stronger. This creates a cycle that is hard to break without understanding how sleep and appetite influence each other.
How Sleep and Hunger Are Connected
The body follows a natural daily rhythm known as the circadian rhythm. This internal clock controls when we feel awake and when we feel sleepy. It also affects digestion, body temperature, hormone levels, and appetite. In most people, hunger is stronger during the daytime and weaker during the night. The hormone melatonin rises in the evening to prepare the body for sleep, while appetite hormones shift so the body can rest instead of seeking food.
In Night Eating Syndrome, this natural rhythm is disrupted. The appetite clock and the sleep clock fall out of sync. Hunger increases at night instead of during the day. Many people with NES report that they have little or no appetite in the morning, feel a bit more hungry at lunch, and then experience very strong hunger in the evening or overnight. This pattern is not about willpower; it reflects changes in how the brain and hormones are working.
Hormones That Influence Nighttime Eating
Several hormones play important roles in Night Eating Syndrome:
- Melatonin: This hormone helps regulate sleep. People with NES may have lower melatonin levels at night or a delayed release of melatonin. This delay can make it harder to fall asleep and can also disturb hunger signals.
- Cortisol: Known as the stress hormone, cortisol usually decreases at night. But in NES, cortisol levels may stay high into the evening. High cortisol can increase cravings, especially for high-sugar and high-fat foods.
- Ghrelin and Leptin: These hormones regulate hunger and fullness. Ghrelin increases hunger, while leptin signals fullness. In people with NES, ghrelin may rise at night and leptin levels may not increase as they normally should. This leads to feeling hungry at times when most people feel satisfied and ready to sleep.
When these hormones are out of balance, the body may send strong signals to eat, even if calorie needs for the day have already been met.
Sleep Disruption and Emotional Stress
Many people with Night Eating Syndrome also experience stress, anxiety, or depressed mood. Stress and emotional strain can interfere with sleep, and lack of sleep can make emotions harder to manage. This becomes a loop:
- Stress makes it difficult to fall asleep.
- Trouble sleeping increases hunger at night.
- Eating at night may temporarily reduce stress or create a sense of comfort.
- The eating episode disrupts sleep even more.
- The next day, fatigue increases stress, starting the cycle again.
This loop can continue for weeks, months, or even years if not addressed.
How Poor Sleep Strengthens Cravings
Not getting enough sleep affects the brain’s decision-making and reward systems. When a person is tired, the brain is more likely to crave foods that are high in sugar or fat because these foods provide quick energy. The ability to resist cravings or delay urges becomes lower. As a result, waking up during the night often leads to eating foods that are easy to grab and high in calories.
The Importance of Building a Steady Sleep Routine
Improving sleep can help reduce nighttime eating. Helpful steps include:
- Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
- Limiting screens and bright lights in the hour before bedtime.
- Keeping the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.
- Eating balanced meals earlier in the day.
- Reducing caffeine and alcohol late in the day.
These steps help reset the body’s sleep and appetite rhythms. However, for many people with Night Eating Syndrome, professional treatment is needed to fully restore a healthy pattern.
Sleep and eating patterns are closely connected. In Night Eating Syndrome, changes in hormones and circadian rhythms lead to increased hunger at night and reduced appetite in the morning. Poor sleep makes cravings stronger, and nighttime eating can further disrupt sleep. Understanding how sleep affects appetite is an important step toward breaking the cycle and supporting recovery.
Health Risks and Long-Term Effects of Untreated Night Eating Syndrome
Night Eating Syndrome (NES) can have a meaningful impact on both physical and mental health, especially when it continues over a long period without treatment. While some people may think of nighttime eating as only a habit or preference, NES affects important body systems including metabolism, sleep regulation, and emotional well-being. Over time, these disruptions can lead to medical complications and a lower quality of life. Understanding these risks helps highlight why early recognition and treatment are important.
Weight Gain and Metabolic Complications
One of the most common long-term effects of NES is gradual weight gain. Eating large portions of daily calories late in the evening or overnight can lead to a positive energy balance, meaning more calories are consumed than the body needs. At night, the body’s metabolism naturally slows as it prepares for sleep. This lower metabolic rate means calories eaten during nighttime are often stored rather than burned for energy.
This pattern may contribute to:
- Increased body fat
- Higher body mass index (BMI)
- Central or abdominal weight gain, which carries additional health risks
Nighttime eating also affects how the body manages blood sugar. Individuals with NES may have higher glucose levels in the morning or over the long term. Continual disruption of metabolic processes can increase the risk of:
- Insulin resistance: The body becomes less effective at using insulin, making blood sugar harder to control.
- Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes: A long-term result of insulin resistance.
- Dyslipidemia: Higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
These conditions increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure and heart disease.
Sleep Deprivation and Sleep Quality Problems
NES is closely tied to sleep disruption. Many individuals with NES wake up at least once or twice each night to eat. Waking from sleep interrupts the body’s natural sleep cycles, especially deep sleep and REM sleep. These sleep phases are necessary for restoring energy, supporting memory, and maintaining healthy hormone levels.
Long-term sleep interruptions may lead to:
- Persistent daytime tiredness or fatigue
- Difficulty focusing or completing tasks
- Lower mental alertness
- Slower reaction times
Sleep deprivation also increases appetite-regulating hormones that signal hunger. For example, insufficient sleep raises levels of ghrelin, the hormone that increases hunger, and lowers leptin, the hormone that signals fullness. This shift can make nighttime cravings stronger and harder to resist, continuing the cycle of NES.
Mood Changes and Mental Health Effects
Night Eating Syndrome often coexists with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. The condition can both contribute to and result from emotional distress.
Key emotional impacts may include:
- Increased feelings of guilt or shame about eating behaviors
- Heightened stress from struggling with control around food
- Mood swings or irritability due to poor sleep
- Anxiety related to body image or weight changes
For some individuals, nighttime eating may temporarily relieve emotional tension. However, this relief is usually short-lived and followed by negative emotions. This pattern can strengthen the link between stress and eating, making NES more difficult to manage without support.
Reduced Daytime Functioning and Quality of Life
When NES continues without treatment, it can affect daily activities. People may start their mornings feeling tired, sluggish, or without appetite. Skipping breakfast can lead to irregular meal patterns during the day, which can reinforce hunger at night. Over time, individuals may struggle to maintain consistent routines at work, school, or social events.
This disruption can lead to:
- Lower productivity at work or school
- Increased reliance on caffeine or high-sugar foods for energy
- Less participation in social activities due to fatigue or body image concerns
Cardiovascular Stress
Both weight gain and chronic stress related to NES can place strain on the cardiovascular system. Higher cortisol levels (the stress hormone) are often seen in people with NES. Elevated cortisol over long periods can increase blood pressure and inflammation in the body. Combined with metabolic changes, this increases the risk of long-term heart disease.
Night Eating Syndrome is not only about eating habits. It affects the body’s metabolism, sleep cycles, emotional health, and long-term physical well-being. Recognizing these risks early supports timely treatment, which can prevent complications and improve overall health. Early professional care and lifestyle support can significantly reduce these long-term effects and help restore healthier eating and sleep patterns.
Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches for Night Eating Syndrome
Treating Night Eating Syndrome (NES) focuses on understanding why nighttime eating is happening and then using therapies that support both eating patterns and sleep rhythms. Because NES involves both the mind and body, treatment often includes a combination of psychological therapy, nutrition guidance, sleep-focused strategies, and sometimes medications supervised by a healthcare professional. The goal is to help the person regain control of their eating schedule, improve sleep quality, and reduce stress around food and nighttime awakenings.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most effective treatments for Night Eating Syndrome. CBT helps a person notice and change the thoughts and habits that lead to nighttime eating. Many individuals with NES eat at night due to stress, emotional tension, or a learned pattern of using food to relax. CBT works by breaking this cycle.
In therapy, a person learns to:
- Identify emotional triggers for nighttime eating, such as stress after work, loneliness, or worry.
- Challenge the belief that eating is the only way to cope with uncomfortable feelings.
- Practice new coping strategies, such as guided relaxation, journaling, or mindful breathing.
- Restructure daily habits to support regular meals during the daytime and reduce hunger at night.
CBT also helps reduce guilt or shame that may come with NES, allowing healthier behavior to develop without self-blame.
CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia)
Because sleep problems are linked to NES, CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I) is often included in treatment. CBT-I teaches healthy sleep habits and reduces nighttime waking. Many people with NES wake up because their sleep schedule is disrupted, and once awake, they feel the urge to eat. CBT-I works to stop this pattern by improving sleep quality and reducing the number of nighttime awakenings.
Key parts of CBT-I include:
- Setting a consistent bedtime and wake time.
- Reducing naps that interfere with nighttime sleep.
- Creating a quiet, dark, comfortable sleep environment.
- Avoiding screens and stimulating activities before bed.
- Learning relaxation techniques to fall asleep faster.
Better sleep structure helps regulate hunger hormones, making nighttime cravings less intense over time.
Nutritional Counseling
A registered dietitian can help create a balanced eating routine that supports stable blood sugar and reduces evening hunger. Many people with NES skip breakfast or eat lightly during the day, which leads to increased hunger at night. Changing daytime eating can make a very big difference.
Nutritional counseling may focus on:
- Eating breakfast within 1–2 hours of waking.
- Eating balanced meals at regular times during the day.
- Including lean protein, fiber, and healthy fats that help keep hunger steady.
- Planning a satisfying evening meal to prevent late-night cravings.
This approach helps reset the body’s hunger signals and supports a more consistent eating schedule.
Light Therapy
Light therapy is used to help reset the body’s internal clock. NES is linked to disruptions in circadian rhythms, meaning the body may send hunger and sleep signals at the wrong times. Sitting in front of a light therapy lamp in the morning for a short period each day can help the brain regulate melatonin release, reduce evening hunger, and improve sleep timing.
Medications Used in Night Eating Syndrome (When Needed)
Medication is not always needed, but it may be helpful in some cases. A doctor may prescribe medication when NES is strongly linked to mood disorders, high stress, or severe sleep disruption.
Common options a healthcare provider may consider include:
- SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors): These medications can help regulate serotonin, a brain chemical involved in mood, appetite, and sleep. Research shows that SSRIs may reduce nighttime eating episodes and improve mood.
- Melatonin Supplements: Melatonin can help signal the body that it is time to sleep. In supervised treatment, melatonin may help shift the timing of hunger back to daytime.
All medication use should be monitored by a medical professional to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Importance of Coordinated Care
Because NES affects eating, sleep, and emotional well-being, many people benefit most when several professionals work together. A coordinated team might include:
- Primary care doctor
- Sleep specialist
- Psychologist or therapist
- Registered dietitian
This team approach ensures that all parts of NES are addressed, not just the nighttime eating itself.
Practical Strategies Individuals Can Start With at Home
Night Eating Syndrome can feel difficult to manage, especially when eating at night has become a habit. While professional treatment is often the most effective approach, there are useful steps people can begin on their own. These changes can support better sleep, more balanced hunger patterns, and less emotional eating at night. These strategies work best when done consistently and paired with patience, because it often takes time for the body and brain to adjust to new routines.
Establish Regular Meal Timing During the Day
One of the most common features of Night Eating Syndrome is eating very little during the morning and daytime, followed by large amounts of food in the evening or overnight. The body becomes used to receiving most of its energy at night, which strengthens the cycle. Creating a consistent eating schedule helps reset hunger signals.
Start with three balanced meals each day. It is especially important to eat breakfast within one to two hours of waking. Breakfast helps signal to the body that the day has begun and helps regulate hormones that control appetite. Even if appetite is low at first, try to include something small like yogurt, fruit, eggs, or oatmeal. Over time, morning hunger usually increases.
Eating balanced meals throughout the day prevents extreme hunger late at night. A balanced meal should include protein, fiber-rich carbohydrates, and a healthy fat source. Protein is especially helpful because it keeps you full longer and reduces cravings later.
Create an Evening Routine That Encourages Relaxation
Many people with Night Eating Syndrome eat at night because of stress, sadness, anxiety, or tension. Eating becomes a coping strategy. Learning different ways to handle emotions can reduce the urge to eat late at night.
An evening routine should calm the mind and help the body get ready for sleep. Try activities such as:
- Reading a calming book
- Taking a warm shower
- Doing light stretching or gentle yoga
- Listening to soft music
- Practicing slow breathing or guided relaxation audio
The key is consistency. Doing the same activities at the same time each evening signals to the brain that eating is done for the day.
Improve the Sleep Environment
Poor sleep can make nighttime hunger stronger. If a person wakes up frequently or sleeps lightly, the chance of getting up to eat increases. Adjusting the sleep environment can help reduce awakenings during the night.
Consider these steps:
- Keep the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.
- Remove screens and bright lights from the room.
- Avoid looking at phones or computers at least one hour before bed.
- Try to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
These habits support healthier circadian rhythms, which affect both sleep and appetite.
Plan for Nighttime Cravings in Advance
Cravings are not just about hunger. They often come from habit and emotional comfort. Planning ahead helps reduce the automatic response to eat.
One helpful approach is to prepare a list of actions to try before eating. This could include:
- Drinking a glass of water or herbal tea
- Journaling or writing down emotions for 5 minutes
- Doing deep breathing for 3 to 5 minutes
- Calling or texting a supportive friend if emotions feel strong
If the desire to eat remains, it may help to choose a small, planned snack rather than eating without structure. A small snack that includes protein can signal fullness better than sugary or highly processed foods.
Notice Emotional Patterns Without Judgment
Many people feel guilt or shame about eating at night. These feelings make the cycle stronger, not weaker. It is helpful to observe eating patterns like a scientist would, without blame. Writing down what you were feeling before and after eating at night can reveal triggers such as stress, loneliness, or boredom. Once patterns become clear, it is easier to address the emotional needs behind them.
Know When to Seek Professional Help
Self-help strategies are most effective when Night Eating Syndrome symptoms are mild. If nighttime eating is happening several times a week, feels uncontrollable, or is affecting physical or emotional health, professional treatment is recommended. Therapists, dietitians, sleep specialists, and physicians can work together to provide long-term support.
Recovering from Night Eating Syndrome is possible. Small steps practiced consistently can help shift appetite earlier in the day, support better sleep, and reduce emotional eating at night. The key is to move slowly, keep track of patterns, and ask for help when needed.
Can Night Eating Syndrome Be Cured? What Recovery Looks Like
Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is a condition that can improve with the right treatment and support. Many people are able to reduce nighttime eating, sleep better, and regain a more balanced eating schedule. However, recovery does not always happen quickly. NES involves both the body and the mind, so treatment often focuses on healthy habits, emotional support, and medical guidance working together. Understanding what recovery looks like can help set realistic expectations and reduce frustration while healing.
NES Is Treatable, Not a Personal Failure
First, it is important to know that NES is not caused by a lack of willpower. It is linked to changes in appetite hormones, disruptions in sleep patterns, and emotional stress. Because of these biological and psychological factors, simply telling yourself to “stop eating at night” does not work. Treatment looks at the root causes and helps reset eating patterns gradually. With time and practice, symptoms can improve.
Recovery Takes Time and Happens in Small Steps
Recovery from NES usually happens gradually. For example, a person may still wake up to eat, but they may eat less at night or fewer nights per week. Or they may begin to feel hungry again in the morning, which is a sign the body’s rhythm is improving. These small steps are meaningful. Treatment aims to help the body return to a more typical pattern where hunger appears during the daytime and sleep happens during nighttime without interruptions.
Some people see improvement in a few weeks, while for others it may take several months. The timeline depends on:
- How long the person has had NES
- Whether other conditions like anxiety, depression, or insomnia are present
- How consistent they are with treatment and support strategies
The key is patience and steady progress rather than expecting overnight change.
Treatment Helps Rebalance Eating Patterns
One goal of recovery is restoring a consistent eating routine during the day. Many people with NES do not feel hungry in the morning. During recovery, treatment often introduces gentle, structured morning eating. Eating even a small breakfast helps send a signal to the body: daytime is for eating, nighttime is for resting.
Over time, regular meals throughout the day help reduce the intense desire to eat at night. This shift takes practice, but it is one of the strongest indicators of improvement.
Sleep Improvements Are Also a Sign of Recovery
NES and sleep are closely linked. Many people wake up at night because their body has become used to eating during those hours. As eating patterns improve, sleep often becomes more steady. People may begin to fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling more rested. Reducing nighttime waking is a major step in recovery, and it usually goes hand in hand with changes in eating habits.
Emotional Health Plays a Role in Recovery
Stress, anxiety, and emotional discomfort can trigger nighttime eating episodes. Because of this, therapy is often part of treatment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people notice emotional triggers and learn new ways to handle stress. Many people with NES discover that nighttime has become their main time to cope with difficult feelings. Therapy helps replace this pattern with healthier daytime coping strategies, such as journaling, physical activity, or relaxation techniques before bed.
Improving emotional awareness does not mean a person must feel calm all the time. Instead, the goal is to build tools to manage stress without needing food for comfort.
Recovery May Require Ongoing Maintenance
Even after symptoms improve, some individuals need to continue using their strategies to prevent the return of nighttime eating. This is similar to how people maintain long-term health after recovering from other conditions. Maintenance may include:
- Keeping regular sleep hours
- Continuing balanced meal schedules
- Practicing stress management techniques
- Checking in with a therapist or clinician when needed
Relapses can happen, especially during periods of stress. A relapse does not mean the person has failed. It simply means the body and mind need support again. Returning to the strategies that worked earlier usually helps bring symptoms back under control.
Hope and Outlook
With proper treatment, many people experience meaningful improvement in their symptoms. Research shows that NES responds well to therapies that focus on sleep, stress management, and eating behaviors. People often report better sleep, stronger daytime appetite, and improved mood as they recover.
Recovery is a process, and each improvement, even small ones, matters. With time, guidance, and patience, it is possible to regain control over nighttime eating and restore a healthy rhythm between eating and sleep.
Conclusion
Night Eating Syndrome is a real medical and psychological condition, not just a habit or a lack of willpower. It involves changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and the body’s natural daily rhythm. People with this condition often find themselves eating late at night or waking up to eat, even when they are not truly hungry. This is usually linked to shifts in hormones, stress responses, and emotional coping. It can feel confusing or frustrating to understand why the urge to eat is so strong at night, especially if daytime eating patterns seem normal. Recognizing Night Eating Syndrome as a disorder helps reduce blame and opens the door to treatment options that can improve both health and quality of life.
Understanding how Night Eating Syndrome develops is an important step toward managing it. The body is designed to follow a regular schedule for sleep and eating. When this rhythm is disrupted, hunger hormones such as ghrelin and leptin may become unbalanced, while cortisol, the stress hormone, may stay high in the evening. These shifts can increase appetite at night and reduce appetite in the morning. Emotional factors, such as anxiety, sadness, or high daily stress, can also make nighttime eating feel soothing or comforting. Over time, this becomes a learned behavior reinforced by repeated patterns. Knowing that there are biological and psychological causes involved can help individuals understand that they are not alone and that the condition is treatable.
The effects of Night Eating Syndrome can extend beyond nighttime eating itself. Many people with the condition feel tired during the day because their sleep is interrupted or because they go to bed late. Lack of sleep can affect concentration, mood, and overall health. Over time, taking in more calories at night may lead to weight gain and metabolic issues, including changes in blood sugar. These physical changes can contribute to low self-esteem or worry, which may then further increase emotional eating. Breaking this cycle can feel challenging, but it is possible with the right support.
Diagnosis is an important part of treatment. A healthcare professional can help determine whether the eating pattern fits Night Eating Syndrome or another condition, such as Binge Eating Disorder or Sleep-Related Eating Disorder. This ensures that treatment is tailored to the individual’s needs. Diaries, questionnaires, and conversations with specialists can help give a clear picture of eating and sleep behaviors. This also gives individuals a chance to discuss how the disorder affects daily life, including mood, sleep, and health.
There are several effective ways to treat Night Eating Syndrome. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help identify thoughts and behaviors that lead to nighttime eating and replace them with healthier coping strategies. When poor sleep habits are part of the picture, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia can be used to improve sleep timing and structure. Nutrition counseling can help establish a more balanced pattern of meals and snacks during the day, including a regular breakfast. Light therapy can support the natural sleep-wake cycle, especially if the body’s internal clock runs late. Medications may also be helpful in some cases, particularly when there are signs of depression or anxiety, but they should always be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Treatment is most effective when physical, emotional, and behavioral factors are addressed together.
Recovery from Night Eating Syndrome does not usually happen overnight. Progress is often steady and gradual. The goal is not only to reduce nighttime eating but also to build healthier sleep and stress routines. With consistent support, individuals can restore a more natural rhythm to their eating patterns, sleep more soundly, and feel more balanced during the day. Many people are able to greatly reduce or stop nighttime eating episodes once they learn new strategies and understand the patterns that drive the behavior.
It is important to remember that Night Eating Syndrome is treatable. Reaching out for help is a positive and strong step, not a sign of weakness. If nighttime eating feels difficult to control or is affecting physical or emotional health, support from medical and mental health professionals can make a real difference. Understanding the disorder, knowing that it has known causes, and learning the tools to manage it can help individuals regain a sense of stability, comfort, and control in their daily lives.
Research Citations
Stunkard, A. J., Grace, W. J., & Wolff, H. G. (1955). The night-eating syndrome; a pattern of food intake among certain obese patients. The American Journal of Medicine, 19(1), 78–86.
Birketvedt, G. S., Florholmen, J., Sundsfjord, J., Østerud, B., Dinges, D., Bilker, W., & Stunkard, A. J. (1999). Behavioral and neuroendocrine characteristics of the night-eating syndrome. JAMA, 282(7), 657–663.
Goel, N., Stunkard, A. J., Rogers, N. L., Van Dongen, H. P. A., Allison, K. C., O’Reardon, J. P., Ahima, R. S., & Cummings, D. E. (2009). Circadian rhythm profiles in women with night eating syndrome. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 24(1), 85–94.
Allison, K. C., Lundgren, J. D., O’Reardon, J. P., Geliebter, A., Gluck, M. E., Vinai, P., Mitchell, J. E., Schenck, C. H., Howell, M. J., Crow, S. J., Engel, S., Latzer, Y., Tzischinsky, O., Mahowald, M. W., & Stunkard, A. J. (2010). Proposed diagnostic criteria for night eating syndrome. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 43(3), 241–247.
O’Reardon, J. P., Allison, K. C., Martino, N. S., Lundgren, J. D., Heo, M., & Stunkard, A. J. (2006). A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of sertraline in the treatment of night eating syndrome. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(5), 893–898.
Gallant, A. R., Lundgren, J., & Drapeau, V. (2012). The night-eating syndrome and obesity. Obesity Reviews, 13(6), 528–536.
Runfola, C. D., Allison, K. C., Hardy, K. K., Lock, J., & Peebles, R. (2014). Prevalence and clinical significance of night eating syndrome in university students. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55(1), 41–48.
de Zwaan, M., Müller, A., Allison, K. C., Brähler, E., & Hilbert, A. (2014). Prevalence and correlates of night eating in the German general population. PLOS ONE, 9(5), e97667.
Gluck, M. E., Geliebter, A., & Satov, T. (2001). Night eating syndrome is associated with depression, low self-esteem, reduced daytime hunger, and less weight loss in obese outpatients. Obesity Research, 9(4), 264–267.
Allison, K. C., & Tarves, E. P. (2011). Treatment of night eating syndrome. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 34(4), 785–796.
Questions and Answers: Night Eating Syndrome
Night Eating Syndrome is a disorder where a person consumes a large portion of their daily food intake at night, either after dinner or by waking up during the night to eat.
In Night Eating Syndrome, eating mainly happens at night and may involve smaller, continuous snacks. In binge eating disorder, large amounts of food are eaten in a short period, usually during the day.
Common symptoms include lack of appetite in the morning, eating more than 25% of daily food after dinner, waking up to eat several times a week, and feeling unable to sleep without eating.
NES may be caused by imbalanced hormones affecting hunger and sleep cycles, stress, depression, poor sleep habits, or emotional coping patterns.
People with depression, anxiety, high stress, obesity, or irregular sleep schedules have higher risks of developing NES.
NES disrupts sleep because individuals often wake up to eat, leading to fragmented sleep, daytime fatigue, and trouble concentrating.
Yes. Eating late at night can lead to overall higher calorie intake, making weight gain more likely over time.
A doctor may diagnose NES through interviews, eating behavior tracking, sleep history, and screening for related conditions like stress or depression.
Treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), improving sleep routines, stress management, nutrition counseling, and sometimes medication like antidepressants.
Yes. Regular mealtimes, reducing stress, good sleep hygiene, and expanding coping strategies can help reduce nighttime eating episodes.
Dr. Melissa VanSickle
Dr. Melissa Vansickle, MD is a family medicine specialist in Onsted, MI and has over 24 years of experience in the medical field. She graduated from University of Michigan Medical School in 1998. She is affiliated with medical facilities Henry Ford Allegiance Health and Promedica Charles And Virginia Hickman Hospital. Her subspecialties include General Family Medicine, Urgent Care, Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Rural Health.