Cited by 156Eating Disorders and BehaviorsSleep and related disordersNutrition, Health and Food Behavior

Night eating syndrome: effects of brief relaxation training on stress, mood, hunger, and eating patterns

Pawlow, L A, O'Neil, P M, Malcolm, R J·2003·International Journal of Obesity

Abstract

Background Night eating syndrome (NES) is characterized by a lack of appetite in the morning, consumption of 50% or more of daily food intake after 6:00 p.m., and difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. It has been associated with stress and with poor results at attempts to lose weight.Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether a relaxation intervention (Abbreviated Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy, APRT) that has been shown to significantly reduce stress levels in normal, healthy adults would also benefit an NES sample.Research methods and procedures A total of 20 adults with NES were randomly assigned to either a relaxation training (APRT) or a Control (quietly sitting for the same amount of time) group, and all subjects attended two laboratory sessions 1 week apart. Pre- and postsession indices of stress, anxiety, relaxation, and salivary cortisol were obtained, as well as Day 1 and Day 8 indices of mood. Food diaries and hunger ratings were also obtained.Results The results indicated that 20 min of a muscle relaxation exercise significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and salivary cortisol immediately postsession. After practicing these exercises daily for a week, subjects exhibited lowered stress, anxiety, fatigue, anger, and depression on Day 8. APRT was also associated with significantly higher a.m. and lower p.m. ratings of hunger, and a trend of both more breakfast and less night-time eating.Discussion These data support the role of stress and anxiety in NES and suggest that practicing relaxation may be an important component of treatment for this condition.

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Crossref · 10.1038/sj.ijo.0802320

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  • Biofeedback has been shown to improve impulse control difficulties and attentional difficulties in bulimia nervosa and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as symptoms of stress, anxiety and anger.

    “Biofeedback has also been shown to improve impulse control difficulties, and attentional difficulties in bulimia nervosa and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,15 16 18 as well as symptoms of stress, anxiety and anger.19”

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Authors
Pawlow, L. A., O'Neil, P. M., & Malcolm, R. J.
Affiliations
Medical University of South Carolina (US)
Corresponding author
O'Neil, P M
Venue
International Journal of Obesity
Published
2003-07-15
Volume
27
Issue
8
Pages
970-978
ISSN
  • 0307-0565 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5497
OpenAlex
W2015163390
Cited by
156
References
33
Citations by year
2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 11
FWCI
11.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • International Journal of Obesity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
Keywords
night eating syndrome, progressive muscle relaxation, relaxation training, stress, anxiety, salivary cortisol, mood, hunger, dietary habits, sleep disorders, depression, anger, fatigue
MeSH terms
Adult, Affect, Affective Symptoms, Anxiety, Appetite, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Body Weight, Feeding Behavior, Female, Humans, Hunger, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Compliance, Relaxation Therapy, Stress, Psychological, Syndrome, Time Factors

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