Night-Eating Syndrome, Sleep Quality, and Eating Mindfulness in Psychiatric Outpatients

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to determine eating mindfulness (EM), night eating syndrome (NES), and sleep quality in adult subjects presenting to a psychiatric outpatient clinic and to evaluate possible differences according to diagnoses and clinical variables. Methods: This study included 381 outpatients. Sociodemographic data were collected, the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) were completed, and body mass index was measured. Results: The median PSQI score was 3.0 (0.0-7.0), the median NEQ total score was 4.0 (0.0-14.0), and the median MEQ total score was 76.0 (59.0-95.0). Sixteen percent of the participants met the NES criteria. The patient group with the poorest sleep quality was the group with alcohol/substance use disorder and atypical psychosis. The patient groups with the lowest EM were those with schizophrenia, impulse control disorder, attention deficit disorder, and hyperactivity disorder. The highest NEQ score was found in individuals diagnosed with alcohol/substance use disorder. As the NEQ scores increased, so did the PSQI. A significant negative correlation was found between NEQ and MEQ total, disinhibition, emotional eating, eating control, and focus. The PSQI (β=1.169, p<0.001) and the eating control subdimension (β=-0.425, p=0.003) predicted the NEQ scale. Conclusion: NES should not be underestimated in psychiatric outpatient clinics. EM, NES, and sleep quality are closely related. Regarding patients’ eating attitudes, sleep problems in psychiatric disorders should also be considered. The eating habits and attitudes of these patients must be carefully examined, and appropriate individuals must be targeted for mindfulness training.

Keywords

• eating behavior
• mental disorders
• mindful eating
• night eating syndrome
• sleep quality