NIGHT EATING SYNDROME

Course overview

NIGHT EATING SYNDROME IS A TYPE OF EATING DISORDER THAT IS CHARACTERIZED BY HYPERPHAGIA IN THE EVENING WITH 25% OR MORE OF DAILY CALORIC INTAKE AFTER DINNER WITH NOT LESS THAN TWO NOCTURNAL AWAKENINGS DURING THE WEEK TO EAT FOOD. THE PREVALENCE IS 1.5% IN THE GENERAL POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. THE SYNDROME IS COMPLICATED WITH OBESITY PROBLEMS SUCH AS DIABETES. PATIENTS RESPOND TO VARIABLE TREATMENT MODALITIES SUCH AS SSRI, LIGHT THERAPY, AND PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION TREATMENT. THIS ACTIVITY EXAMINES THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF NIGHT EATING SYNDROME SO THAT HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS CAN HELP PATIENTS WITH THIS DISORDER.