• Lemir Majed El Ayoubi, Diana Abou Ltaif, El MasriJadJFaculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon. Jadmasri_1998@hotmail.com.Faculty of Medicine, Neuroscience Research Center, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon. Jadmasri_1998@hotmail.com.Faculty of Science, Lebanese University, Be, and Pascale Salameh.
• Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
• Ir J Med Sci. 2022 Dec 1; 191 (6): 263526402635-2640.

BackgroundEating disorders (EDs) have an important impact on both physical and mental wellbeing, especially in a young population. There is a lack in research about EDs in the Middle East, and especially in Lebanon, where the co-occurring obesity is a widespread health problem.AimOur study aims to assess the relation between night eating syndrome (NES) with binge eating disease (BED) and obesity (BMI) on one hand, and between NES and general health on the other hand, in university students.Materials And MethodsAn observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 460 university students in Lebanon. Data collection was carried out using an online questionnaire. Socio-demographic and general health characteristics, BMI, Arabic validated General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Arabic validated Binge Eating Scale (BES) and the Night Eating Diagnostic Questionnaire (NEDQ). Statistical analysis was accomplished on SPSS.ResultsParticipants having highest income showed highest NEDQ score. Females and participants with a history of eating disorders were more likely to have BED. A significant correlation was also found between having an ED history and negative impact on general health. BMI was correlated with both NEDQ and BES. Having NES was associated with also having BED. Furthermore, those with NES showed higher scores regarding GHQ-12.ConclusionRelatively high prevalence of NES and BED was noted in university students in Lebanon. This was correlated to a household income, general health, and BMI. The repercussion on both physical and mental morbidities highlights the importance for stepping up of the Lebanese organizational system to perform periodic screening.© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.

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