WJAR: Does your body clock cause binge eating?
UC researcher explores melatonin, light therapy to treat binge eating behavior
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are exploring how the body's sleep-wake cycles of circadian rhythms affect patients with binge eating disorder.
"Binge eating disorder is the most prevalent eating disorder, and unfortunately there's still very limited options or targeted options,” said Francisco Romo-Nava, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at UC, associate chief research officer for the Research Institute at the Lindner Center of HOPE and a UC Health physician scientist.
Romo-Nava said about 5% of the population is categorized as a true "night owl," and past research suggests this group might be more susceptible to binge eating behavior since binge eating tends to occur in the evening and night.
Romo-Nava and his team are studying if readjusting the circadian rhythms of people with binge eating disorder through melatonin or light therapy could be an effective treatment.
Featured photo at top of Dr. Romo-Nava. Photo/Colleen Kelley/University of Cincinnati.
Related Stories
2024 Daniel Drake Medals to be awarded April 27
April 24, 2024
The UC College of Medicine will award three people with 2024 Daniel Drake Medals April 27.
The graduating class of 2024 shares creative works across 15...
April 24, 2024
DAAP’s Graduating Class of 2024 shares creative works across 15 interdisciplinary degree programs at DAAPworks.
Local 12: Head injury survivor, doctor share importance of...
April 23, 2024
Local 12 spoke with patient Shane Shapiro and the University of Cincinnati's Laura Ngwenya about the importance of wearing a helmet following Shapiro's traumatic brain injury and recovery.