Publication:

A study on night eating syndrome and its association with depression among medical students in Tumakuru: a cross-sectional study

Background Night eating syndrome (NES) is an eating disorder characterized by excessive evening or nocturnal food intake and is often associated with psychological disturbances, particularly depression. Medical students are especially vulnerable due to academic stress, irregular sleep patterns, and lifestyle disruptions. Evidence on the burden of NES and its association with depression among Indian medical students remains limited.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 324 medical students of a medical college in Tumakuru from April to June 2025 using universal sampling. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. Depression was assessed using the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and NES was evaluated using the revised night eating diagnostic questionnaire (NEDQ). Data were analyzed using IBM statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Descriptive statistics were applied, and associations were tested using the Chi-square test. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results The prevalence of NES among study participants was 87.3%, with the majority having mild NES (70.7%). Depression was present in 66.4% of participants. A statistically significant association was observed between NES and female gender (p=0.04) and eating pattern after 7 PM (p<0.001). Although a higher proportion of students with NES had depression (65.1%), the association between NES and depression was not statistically significant (p=0.18).

Conclusion NES and depression are highly prevalent among medical students and are strongly interrelated. Early screening, mental health support, sleep hygiene education, and lifestyle interventions should be integrated into medical student wellness programs to prevent long-term psychological and behavioral consequences.