Researchers at the Center for Sleep and Wake Disorders are studying a baffling eating disorder called "sleep-eating." Much like sleep-walking, sleep-eating sufferers are alert enough to respond to questions but are not aware that they binge-eat while asleep.

"During testing, researchers found one woman munching on brownies in her sleep. After each bite, she used her pinky to shove any remaining bits in her mouth... Another woman captured on tape gulped a soda after eating in her sleep."

Sleep experts believe sleep-eating is caused by a problem with the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls "basic behaviors."

Labels: brain_chemistry, binge_eating, sleep

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

About one in 100 adults, mostly women, are affected by a little-known eating disorder called "sleep eating" (a disorder that often falls under the category "Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified" or EDNOS).

Sleep eaters get up as often as five times a night to eat, usually high-calorie foods that are high in sugar and fat. Some eat odd things such as paper or frozen foods. Many have been injured from using knives or walking into obstacles.

"Those who exhibit violence during sleep or scream or swear or masturbate or eat frozen ravioli or wander into the hallway in their underwear generally have no more of a psychological disorder than those who sleep peacefully at night," said University of Minnesota professor Carlos Schenck, an expert on sleep.

Labels: sleep, ednos

Posted By: Jane St. Clair 1 Comment