Objective: The aim of this study was to examine frequency of night eating syndrome and its correlates with depression, anxiety, impulsivity and problematic eating behaviors in a university sample from Turkey.
Methods: Two hundred and ten students (99 men and 111 women) were included. All participants completed a sociodemographic form, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ) and Eating Disorder Examination - Questionnaire (EDEQ). Body mass index (BMI) of the participants were measured.
Results: We found 9.5% of the participants screened positive for NES. Overall scores for NEQ showed significant positive correlation with depression and anxiety symptoms as well as total score and sub-scores of BIS and EDE-Q. Predictive values of depression, anxiety and impulsivity were found to be higher than that of EDE-Q for NES.
Conclusion: NES is prevalent in university students. Depression and anxiety symptoms might predict NES. Impulsivity might be of significance for NES psychopathology as well. Impulsivity is more likely to predict NES when compared to EDE-Q scores.