• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.217-225
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• 2008

Objectives : Prevalence of night eating habit associated with substance use and obesity is increasing rapidly in children and adolescents. Further, staying up late and eating snacks late at night were known as leading health risk behaviors for children, suggesting the potential adverse effect of night-eating habit on children. However, only few reports had been issued on the effect of night-eating habit on gastrointestinal symptom and SUI-TAI(水滯) symptom of children. Therefore, we aimed to investigate clinical characteristics of children by night-eating symptom status. Methods : Parents were asked to give a detailed answer to a systemized medical history questionnaire concerning night-eating habit, gastrointestinal symptom and SUI-TAI symptom of their children. Medical records of 28 children treated in the Department of Pediatrics, Hospital of Oriental Medicine, were the subject of this study. Clinical characteristics of two groups of children who with no night-eating habit and frequent night-eating group(eating at night more than 3 times per week) were analysed. In addition, the correlation analysis between clinical characteristics were performed. Results : Children with frequent night-eating habit(n=7, more than 3 days of night-eating a week) were observed to have more aggravated gastrointestinal symptom and SUI-TAI symptom compared with those without night-eating habit(n=13). In parallel, the association of gastrointestinal symptom and SUI-TAI symptom was demonstrated(n=28). Conclusions : It is notable that deranged gastrointestinal function and aggravated SUI-TAI symptom were observed among children generally regarded as healthy. Therefore, endeavors to correct night-eating habit as well as to treat aggravated gastrointestinal and SUI-TAI symptoms are needed for the promotion of health of children.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.563-576
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate night-time eating habits, and dietary habit and nutrient intake of university students in a particular area of Chungnam. We surveyed night-time eating status, frequency, and preference for eating foods at night in 458 university students. We divided the subjects into two groups according to their night-time eating habits and gender and compared dietary behavior, lifestyle, and nutrient intake between the groups. In total, 77.1% of the students ate a night-time snack. The major reason why they ate a night-time snack was hunger. The cost of the night-time snacks was 3,000~10,000 won and they ate mostly with their friends. The order of frequent night-time eating foods was beverage, milk and its products, snacks, flour foods, and fruits. The subjects with a night-time eating habit skipped breakfast, went to bed late, and drank alcohol more than subjects without a night-time eating habit. Total and animal fat intake of subjects with a night-time eating habit in both men and women were significantly higher than subjects without a night-time eating habit. In conclusion, night-time eating by university students may be a bad habit from the viewpoint of skipping breakfast, drinking alcohol, and eating a high fat diet. Therefore, in support of proper dietary management, it is necessary to form positive dietary habits, including night-time eating.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.209-221
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• 2023

This study aimed to provide fundamental data that could guide high school students' night eating behavior by investigating habits of their night eating consumption during COVID-19 pandemic (From 2021/5/13 to 5/20). Association between their eating habits and the Nutrition Quotient for Korean Adolescents (NQ-A) were also explored. This study included a total of 604 students, among whom 441 students were identified as night eating consumers. Among all subjects, 30.5% consumed night eating 3~4 times a week, 27.3% consumed 1-2 times a week, and 27.0% did not consume any night eating at all. The high-night eating group had a higher score of total NQ-A than the non-night eating group for both male (p<0.05) and female (p<0.001) students. This was because male students in the high-night eating group reported significantly higher rates of daily dinner consumption compared to non-night eating group. Furthermore, both male (p<0.05) and female (p<0.001) students showed a significant increase in 'Moderation'. 'Diversity' was also significantly increased in female studies (p<0.05) as subcategories of dietary habits according to night eating frequency. These findings highlight the need for practical research to develop nutritional guidelines for night eating that reflect preferences of students while providing adequate nutritional habits.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.448-455
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A growing body of research has indicated that night eating could be associated with poor diet quality and negative health outcomes. This study examined the nutritional aspects of night eating, its related factors, and the association between night eating and body weight among Korean adolescents. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study analysed the data from a one day 24-hour dietary recall as well as a demographic survey of 1,738 Korean adolescents aged 12 to 18-years-old obtained from the 2010-2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. 'Night eating' was defined as consuming 25% or more of one's daily energy intake between 21:00 and 06:00. Subjects complying with the preceding condition were classified as 'night eaters', whereas the rest were considered 'non-night eaters'. Logistic regression analysis examined factors related to night eating. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between night eating and BMI z-scores, whereas multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between night eating and weight status. RESULTS: About 21% of Korean adolescents appeared to be night eaters. Night eaters showed increased breakfast skipping (P = 0.001), higher energy intake from snacks (P < 0.001), greater proportion of energy intake from fat (P = 0.029), and lower Dietary Diversity Scores (P = 0.008) than non-night eaters. Male adolescents presented 1.9 times higher odds of being night eaters than females. Adolescents whose both parents were night eaters were 4.4 times as likely to be night eaters as those whose neither parents were. Female adolescents showed a significant relationship between night eating and BMI z-scores (${\beta}=0.28$, P = 0.004). However, night eating did not increase odds of being overweight or obese in adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Night eating in Korean adolescents was related to undesirable dietary behaviours and low diet quality in general as well as higher BMI z-scores in females. Male gender and parental night eating appeared to be the factors that significantly increased odds of night eating. These results suggest that night eating should be considered when designing nutrition education or intervention programs targeting adolescents.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.615-627
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to examine the eating habits and nutrient intake of industrial workers who work day and night shifts. In the area of percentage of skipped meals, the day shift workers responded that they usually skipped breakfast and the night shift workers often skipped lunch and dinner. The day shift workers answered that they skipped meals because of lack of time. The night shift workers cited poor appetite as their main reason for skipping meals. The intake of calories, Vitamin $B_2$ and calcium of the industrial workers who worked day and night shift was lower than the Korean RDA. The intake of iron of the male night shift workers was lower than the Korean RDA The intake of calories, protein, calcium, iron, Vitamin $B_2$and niacin, vitamin C of the female night shift workers was lower than the Korean RDA. In the area of nutrient intake, the night shift workers both male and female got lower scales than the day shift workers. The nutrient intake of the female night shift workers was the worst. Because they cook for themselves and live alone, their nutrient intake and eating habits were bad. The night shift workers were worse than the day shift workers and the female night shift workers were the worst. Considering the above results, night shift workers should correct their poor eating habits, their nutrient intake and have a well-balanced diet.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.300-308
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the night eating habits of middle schoolers. A total of 705 middle school students residing in Gyeonggi were surveyed about their dietary habits related to night eating. Among the total subjects, 59.9% (n=422) had night eating more than once a week and were classified into a night eating group (NEG). The main reason for night eating was hunger (79.1% of NEG) and the highest proportion of night eating was related to food purchased by family (39.3% of NEG). Most of the NEG had night eating in their home with family members, and the time with highest frequency of night eating was between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.. About 33% of the NEG went to bed within an hour after night eating and 69.2% of the NEG did not report any change after night eating. The most common factors considered when choosing a night eating menu, in order of frequency, were taste, hygiene, and amount. The favorite items on the night eating menu were frozen desserts, fresh fruits, chicken, fruit juice, Ramen, pizza, and Jajangmyeon. The most frequent menu choices were fresh fruits, frozen desserts, Ramen, chicken, yogurt, and fruit juice. The NEG had higher scores for picky eating (P<0.01), overeating (P<0.01), salty eating (P<0.01), and irregular meal times (P<0.001) compared to the non-NEG. Consequently, the NEG had more dietary problems than the non-NEG and their night eating behaviors were related to family habits. Night eating was mainly dominated by a diet of carbohydrates and fats, and the intake frequency and preference for foods with low nutritional value were high; thus, a practical and systematical nutrition education is required. Seasonal and comparative studies on night eating status according to various times and amounts of night eating are also required.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.109-117
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a Korean version of Night Eating Questionnaire (KNEQ) and test its psychometric properties and evaluate items according to item response theory. Methods: The 14-item NEQ as a measure of severity of the night eating syndrome was translated into Korean, and then this KNEQ was evaluated. A total of 1171 participants aged 20 to 50 completed the KNEQ on the Internet. To test reliability and validity, Cronbach's alpha, correlation, simple regression, and factor analysis were used. Each item was analyzed according to Rasch-Andrich rating scale model and item difficulty, discrimination, infit/outfit, and point measure correlation were evaluated. Results: Construct validity was evident. Cronbach's alpha was .78. The items of evening hyperphagia and nocturnal ingestion showed high ability in discriminating people with night eating syndrome, while items of morning anorexia and mood/sleep provided relatively little information. The results of item analysis showed that item2 and item7 needed to be revised to improve the reliability of KNEQ. Conclusion: KNEQ is an appropriate instrument to measure severity of night eating syndrome with good validity and reliability. However, further studies are needed to find cut-off scores to screen persons with night eating syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.721-732
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary behavior and late-night eating habit of university students in Daejeon. Questionnaires were collected from 432 students and statistically analyzed according to residence type. One thirds of students took meals irregularly and skipped breakfast because of no time. Both Relative self-boarding and dormitory boarding group skipped breakfast more frequently than home group(p<0.01). The carbonated drink was most frequently chosen during late-night eating. The most favorite alcoholic beverage was soju and 54.7% of students drank soju 1~2 times per week near campus. Almost half of them took late-night foods 1~2 times per week at home(51.8%), near campus(25.8%), near home(15.6%), down town(6.9%). The percentage of late-night eating near campus was higher in dormitory boarding group than both home group and relative self-boarding group(p<0.001). Late-night foods were selected based on taste in 1~2 man won and enjoyed with 2~3 friends until 12 pm. The more in relative self-boarding group chose late-night foods based on taste than both home and dormitory boarding group(p<0.05). The main intake method for late-night foods was delivery. The results of this study suggest that nutritional education is required for relative self-boarding group to change dietary behavior and to select proper late-night foods for their health.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of study was to examine the prevalence of night eating syndrome(NES) and its correlates in schizophrenic outpatients. Methods : The 14 items of self-reported night eating questionnaire(NEQ) was administered to 201 schizophrenic patients in psychiatric outpatient clinic. We examined demographic and clinical characteristics, body mass index(BMI), subjective measures of mood, sleep, binge eating, and weight-related quality of life using Beck's Depression Inventory(BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), Binge Eating Scale(BES) and Korean version of Obesity-Related Quality of Life Scale(KOQoL), respectively. Results : The prevalence of night eaters in schizophrenic outpatients was 10.4%(21 of 201). Comparisons between NES group and non-NES group revealed no significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics, clinical status and BMI. Compared to non-NES, patients with NES reported significantly greater depressed mood and sleep disturbance, more binge eating pattern, and decreased weight-related quality of life. While 'morning anorexia' and 'delayed morning meal'(2 of 5 NES core components in NEQ) were not differed between groups, 'nocturnal ingestions', 'evening hyperphagia', and 'mood/sleep' were more impaired in NES group. Conclusions : These findings are the first to describe the prevalence and its correlates of night eaters in schizophrenic outpatients. These results suggest that NES has negative mental health implications, although it was not associated with obesity. Further study to generalize these results is required.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.297-310
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• 2013

This study was performed to investigate relationships among night eating and nutrient intakes status in university students. A total of 271 subjects (male=155, female=116) were divided by using 3-days food record method according to the percentage of energy from night eating: non-night eating, <25% night-eating and ${\geq}25$ night-eating group. There were no significant differences in age, height, weight, percent body fat and BMI among the groups. The proportion of morning anorexia and insomnia was below 2% and 10%, and no differences were observed among the groups by percentage of energy from night eating. In the male subjects, the intakes of energy in the '${\geq}25$ night-eating group' was significantly higher than those of the other groups; whereas, the nutrient density (ND, nutrient intakes per 1,000 kcal) and INQ (index of nutritional quality) of vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin C, calcium and iron in the '${\geq}25$ night-eating group' was significantly lower than those of the other groups. In the female subjects, the intakes of energy in the '<25 night-eating group' was significantly higher than that of the 'non-night eating group'. And the ND and INQ of vitamin C in the '<25 night-eating group' was significantly higher than those of the 'non-night eating group'. In addition, within the male subjects, the INQ of vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin C, calcium and phosphorous showed significantly negative correlations with food intakes, energy intakes and percentages of energy from night eating after the values were adjusted for age. These results suggest that among male university students, night snack intakes above 25% of energy have lower micronutrient qualities of vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin C and calcium.