Night Eating Syndrome and Associated Psychosocial Health Profile among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Central India.

IF 2.7 4区医学 Q2 PSYCHIATRY

International Journal of Social Psychiatry Pub Date : 2025-09-10 DOI:10.1177/00207640251369135

Harshit Singh, Mubashshera Firdous Khan, Kalaiselvi Selvaraj, Akansha Dani, Sujiv Akkilagunta

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction: Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is a distinct psychopathological entity variously considered as a mental health disorder, eating disorder or circadian rhythm disorder. Medical students are faced with hectic schedules, sleep interruptions and high-stakes exams as they become healthcare providers. Such social factors coupled with poor dietary practices may impact their mental health and biological clocks, leading to NES amongst this population. However, the magnitude of its occurrence and the associated factors are still not well understood, especially in an Indian context. The present study was planned to determine the prevalence of NES and to explore the association between NES and selected psychosocial health profiles amongst undergraduates.

Methodology: An observational, analytical cross-sectional study was undertaken in a tertiary care hospital in Central India. The study included a total of 414 medical students representing all academic years. The data collection tool comprises a structured questionnaire comprising socio-demographic information, the Night Eating Diagnostic Questionnaire (NEDQ), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire (SLIQ) and Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2).

Results: The overall prevalence of Night Eating Syndrome is 13.8% and the majority are mild NES syndrome (mild: 10.1%, moderate: 1.7% and severe: 1.9%). Participants with depressive symptoms were 12.8%. In unadjusted analysis, participants having insomnia (OR = 3.16, 95% CI [1.7, 5.7]) and depression (OR = 2.05, 95% CI [1.0, 4.2]) were found to be predictors of night eating syndrome. After adjusting for age, presence of depression, personal history of chronic disease, insomnia and current year of education in medical school, insomnia (OR = 3.08, 95% CI [1.6, 5.7]) was the only predictor independently associated with NES among college-going students. BMI was not found to be a predictor of NES amongst the study participants.

Conclusion: Night Eating Syndrome has a significant association with insomnia when adjusted for concomitant depression implying the need to tackle sleep and mental health as lifestyle factors; which play a role in the development of NES and to elucidate further on this association, emphasising its circadian impact leading onto Non-Communicable Diseases.

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在印度中部的一项横断面研究中，医学生夜食综合症和相关的心理社会健康状况。

夜食综合征（NES）是一种独特的精神病理实体，被广泛认为是一种精神健康障碍、饮食障碍或昼夜节律障碍。医学生在成为医疗服务提供者后，面临着繁忙的日程安排、睡眠中断和高风险的考试。这些社会因素加上不良的饮食习惯可能会影响他们的心理健康和生物钟，导致这一人群出现NES。然而，其发生的程度和相关因素仍然没有很好地了解，特别是在印度的背景下。本研究旨在确定大学生中NES的患病率，并探讨NES与选定的心理健康状况之间的关系。方法：在印度中部的一家三级医院进行了一项观察性、分析性的横断面研究。这项研究包括了414名医学院学生，他们代表了所有的学年。数据收集工具包括包含社会人口统计信息的结构化问卷、夜间进食诊断问卷（NEDQ）、失眠严重程度指数（ISI）、简单生活方式指标问卷（SLIQ）和患者健康问卷-2 （PHQ-2）。结果：夜间进食综合征总体患病率为13.8%，以轻度NES综合征为主（轻度10.1%，中度1.7%，重度1.9%）。有抑郁症状的占12.8%。在未经调整的分析中，失眠（OR = 3.16, 95% CI[1.7, 5.7]）和抑郁（OR = 2.05, 95% CI[1.0, 4.2]）被发现是夜食综合征的预测因子。在调整了年龄、抑郁、个人慢性病史、失眠和当前医学院教育年限后，失眠（OR = 3.08, 95% CI[1.6, 5.7]）是大学生中唯一与NES独立相关的预测因子。在研究参与者中，BMI没有被发现是NES的预测因子。结论：夜食综合征与失眠有显著的相关性，当伴有抑郁症时，这意味着需要将睡眠和心理健康作为生活方式因素来解决；它们在NES的发展中发挥作用，并进一步阐明这种关联，强调其导致非传染性疾病的昼夜节律影响。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Social Psychiatry PSYCHIATRY-

CiteScore

12.30

自引率

1.30%

发文量

120

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Social Psychiatry, established in 1954, is a leading publication dedicated to the field of social psychiatry. It serves as a platform for the exchange of research findings and discussions on the influence of social, environmental, and cultural factors on mental health and well-being. The journal is particularly relevant to psychiatrists and multidisciplinary professionals globally who are interested in understanding the broader context of psychiatric disorders and their impact on individuals and communities. Social psychiatry, as a discipline, focuses on the origins and outcomes of mental health issues within a social framework, recognizing the interplay between societal structures and individual mental health. The journal draws connections with related fields such as social anthropology, cultural psychiatry, and sociology, and is influenced by the latest developments in these areas. The journal also places a special emphasis on fast-track publication for brief communications, ensuring that timely and significant research can be disseminated quickly. Additionally, it strives to reflect its international readership by publishing state-of-the-art reviews from various regions around the world, showcasing the diverse practices and perspectives within the psychiatric disciplines. This approach not only contributes to the scientific understanding of social psychiatry but also supports the global exchange of knowledge and best practices in mental health care.