Effects of Night Eating and Binge Eating Disorders on General Health in University Students in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Eating disorders (EDs) are serious psychiatric illnesses with profound eating disturbances and accompanying anxiety. The association of night eating syndrome (NES), binge eating disorder (BED), obesity (BMI), and general health among university students in Pakistan is examined in this study. This is a cross-sectional study including 406 students from Lahore, Pakistan. The Binge Eating Scale (BES) and the Night Eating Diagnostic Questionnaire (NEDQ-14) were used to assess NES and BED alongside sociodemographic details and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Data was analyzed with SPSS. The NEDQ scores were greater in individuals with a history of EDs, and also among those without a job. Participants from public universities had higher BES scores. Family income, university, and field of study were significant factors affecting general health. Furthermore, we found that people with NES had higher BES and GHQ-12 scores. We found that having a history of EDs and not having a parallel job were important predictors of NES. Additionally, our findings indicate a high rate of BED and lower general health status in students at public universities. These findings highlight the need for intervention and mental health initiatives for this group of students. Keywords: Binge eating disorders, general health, eating disorders, night eating syndrome, obesity.