The application of ecological momentary assessment to the study of night eating

Abstract

Objective: Night eating syndrome (NES) was first described in 1955 by Albert Stunkard and colleagues. NES consists of either overeating at night or waking up during the night and eating.

Method: In the current study we used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to describe 14 self-defined night-eaters. The participants in the current study completed an EMA protocol of approximately two weeks.

Results: We found that ratings of hunger appeared to be higher during night awakenings than in the evening. Also, both affect and arousal generally decreased throughout the day and were lowest during awakening episodes.

Conclusion: The current study adds interesting data in describing the experience of night-eating behavior with ecological momentary assessments from self-described night-eaters.