Table 2.

Comparison of night eating syndrome and sleep-related eating disorder

Criterion	Night eating syndrome	Sleep-related eating disorder
Volition	Can be planned episodes but requires a minimal level of intent	Involuntary without volition
Awareness	Some level of awareness around episode	Complete lack of awareness
Content	Enjoyable or otherwise edible foods	Can include odd combinations or inedible substances
Motivation	Triggered by hunger, a compulsion to eat or belief that eating is necessary to sleep	Not associated with hunger or thirst
Categorization	Eating disorder; delay in circadian food intake	Parasomnia