Which disorder includes recurrent episodes of eating at night after awakening?

Night Eating Syndrome is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating during the night after awakening. Individuals suffering from this disorder often have difficulty falling back asleep and may consume significant amounts of food while awake during night-time hours. This behavior is typically accompanied by a lack of awareness of the eating episodes and may lead to distress, functional impairment, or significant weight gain.

This disorder often coexists with other issues such as insomnia or mood disorders and involves both psychological and physiological components. It is important to differentiate this condition from other eating disorders or sleep disorders that do not primarily focus on the act of eating during nighttime awakenings, making it distinctly identifiable in clinical settings.