Abstract
Background
Medical students often experience elevated stress levels and disrupted sleep patterns, increasing the risk of developing Night Eating Syndrome (NES). Depression is prevalent among medical students, further emphasizing the need for investigation. This study aims to explore the occurrence of NES and its associated factors, primarily focusing on depression, among medical students at a university in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study involving medical students, participants completed a self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic details, the Night Eating Syndrome Questionnaire (NEQ) with 14 items, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) for depression screening.
Results
The study involved 300 medical students, reflecting a diverse sample with an average age of 21.4 ± 1.9 years and a well-balanced distribution across academic years. Notably, 41 participants (13.7%) were identified as obese. Depression, as determined by PHQ-2 scores exceeding 3, was prevalent in 159 students (53.0%). A multivariable logistic regression analysis uncovered a significant independent association, revealing that being a second-year medical student was linked to depressive health conditions (odds ratio [OR]: 3.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24–10.10, p = 0.02). Exploring NES, 22 students (7.3%) scored above the NEQ threshold of 25, indicating its presence. Intriguingly, multivariable logistic regression illustrated that the sole independent factor associated with NES was the presence of depression (OR: 4.4, CI: 1.4–13.2, p = 0.01).
Conclusion
The overall prevalence of NES was 7.3%, and it was found to be associated with depression in medical students. Additionally, being a second-year medical student was independently associated with depression. These findings underscore the importance of addressing mental health issues, including NES and depression, in medical students, particularly during the early stages of their training.
Abbreviations
BMI, Body Mass Index; CI, Confidence Interval; NES, Night Eating Syndrome; NEQ, Night Eating Syndrome Questionnaire; OR, Odds Ratio; PHQ-2, Patient Health Questionnaire-2.
Data Sharing Statement
The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Ethics Approval and Informed Consent
The study was conducted in strict adherence to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki, with ethical clearance obtained from the Institutional Review Board at King Abdulaziz University (Reference No. 585-21). The informed consent process included a comprehensive explanation of the voluntary nature of participation, with a particular emphasis on measures taken to ensure the confidentiality of participant information.
Author Contributions
All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in this work.