EFFECT OF LATE-NIGHT EATING ON HEALTH: A SURVEY FROM UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Late night eating is characterized by eating after 10 pm or eating 2 hours before sleep at least 3 times per week, it is also characterized by the number of late-night eating episodes and the proportion of total daily calories consumed during the eating episode. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between late-night eating habits and various health issues among individuals from multiple universities in Pakistan. Data was collected from over 15 universities, including the University of Lahore, Comsats University, Bahria University, Punjab University, Karachi University, and de Montmorency College of Dentistry. A non-probability convenient sampling technique was employed to select more than 150 participants for data collection. Participants were evaluated using a pre-tested questionnaire. Dietary choices, circadian rhythms, psychological stress, and social influences are just a few of the things that have an impact on late-night eating habits and the health problems that go along with them. The results of the study indicated that a significant proportion of the participants experienced health issues as a result of their late-night eating habits. Among the observed health issues, headache was the most prevalent, affecting 75% of the participants, followed by sleep disorders (66%), depression (63%), and acidity (59%). In contrast, a lower percentage of individuals reported issues such as diarrhea (29%), vomiting (25%), and piles (21%). For late night eating, majority of the participants approximately 95 % were preferring consuming meals, fried foods and confectionary items for late night snacking and the least consumption was observed of corn and popcorn that accounted for 60 %.and 57 % respectively. It was concluded that late night eating is associated with many digestive, metabolic and psychological issues that have a negative impact on overall health of an individual. The increase in frequency and size of late-night eating in adolescence and adulthood will lead them towards an unhealthy aging.