Night eating syndrome is a type of sleep-related eating disorder that is characterized by habitual practice of binge eating during the night and early morning hours. People with night eating syndrome are commonly the ones who are closely watching their food intake during the day, which makes them hungry during the night and thus causes their severe food cravings. People who are suffering from unhealthy and abnormal eating habits during the night, specifically during sleeping hours, are at higher risks of developing various medical disorders. Eating at the right time of the day and eating just enough food that can be utilized as energy throughout the day should be done to keep the body healthy.

Weight Gain or Obesity

It is not because you eat during the night which can cause your weight gain. Weight gain that is associated with night eating syndrome is due to the food choices, since it is already late at night, food choices will more likely be instant, frozen, greasy, and other unhealthy foods. If you really have the urge to eat late at night, opting for fresh products, such as fruits and vegetables can be done. Fresh products are healthier and are easier to digest than instant and frozen products.

Poor Sleep Hygiene

Digestion or metabolism during the night is slower when compared to metabolism during daytime. People who eat at least 3 hours before going to bed will most likely be suffering from poor quality of sleep, since it puts harder work for the stomach to the food recently digested. When consuming spicy and fatty foods late at night can also contribute to poor quality of sleep, since it can cause heartburn and further difficulties in digestion the next day. Poor sleep hygiene will most likely result to the development of sleep disorders when not managed properly.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

It is possible for type 2 diabetes mellitus to be developed in people who tend to binge or overeat late at night. Both glucose and insulin will find it hard to interact with each other during late night binging, especially when there was food deprivation during early hours of the day.

Insomnia

Just like mentioned earlier, poor sleep hygiene caused by night eating syndrome can cause development of various sleep disorders. Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders that can develop in people suffering from night eating syndrome. Insomnia is a type of sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.