[Sleep-wake cycle among adolescents who suffer from eating disorders: original Israeli research studies]

Abstract

Sleep wake cycle and eating patterns undergo major changes during the adolescent period. Most of the new sleeping and eating patterns come within normal range, and therefore, it is important to differentiate them from pathologicaL eating and sleeping behavior Over the Last decades there has been a dramatic increase in the prevalence of eating disorders (ED) in western society. The main syndromes are anorexia nervosa (AN), buLimia nervosa (BN) and non-specified eating disorders (ED-NOS). These disorders are linked with high morbidity and life-threatening complications. Sleep disturbances are a predominant symptom in these disorders. To date, research studies have examined sleep disorders among people suffering from eating disorders, mainly using polysomnographic monitoring. However, the research presented in these studies used ambulatory monitoring (actigraph) in a natural environment over the period of a week, as well as subjective sleep monitoring. This paper describes three different research studies that were held in Israel. Each research monitors the sleep-wake cycle among adolescents and young adult females suffering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating behavior and compares them to a healthy control group of similar age and socioeconomic status. ' At the outset of each research study, the diagnostic and clinical characteristics of the eating disorder related to the group examined are briefly described. In conclusion, the results are discussed in light of the previous literature as well as the discrepancies between the subjective and objective results. In addition, further research is suggested with relation to the connection between eating and sleeping disorders and to psychiatric comorbidity, nutrition intake, BMI, activity level and weight fluctuations.