Eating Disorders

Abstract

Sleep and eating behavior are complimentary homeostatic functions and adequate sleep is fundamental for the nutritional balance of the body. Short sleep duration has been linked to development of obesity and abnormal eating patterns in children and adults. Individuals with eating disorders report significantly higher sleep disturbances of sleep apnea, insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and impairment of daytime functioning, as compared to controls. Sleep disturbances have been implicated in suicidal behaviors in patients with eating disorders. This chapters outline the current evidence examining the pathophysiology and comorbidity of sleep disturbance in daytime eating disorders and focus on clinical assessment and management of nocturnal eating disorders including night eating syndrome and particularly sleep-related eating disorder, which is a combination of parasomnia and eating disorder. There is an imminent need to develop evidence-based pharmacological and psychological treatments for management of nocturnal eating disorders and the sleep disturbances associated with daytime eating disorders.