Browsing by Author "Aleksic, Vojkan (58127447000)"

Background: Stressors associated with the ongoing ethnic tensions may be the drivers of more frequent night eating, and subsequently, a higher body mass index. Aim: To examine the association of night eating with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference among health sciences students in Northern Kosovo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the University of Prishtina in Kosovska Mitrovica from November 2018 to March 2019. Participants completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), the Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Body weight, height, and waist circumference were measured by the research team. Results: The study sample consisted of 534 students. The night eating score was 14.4 ± 4.5 out of 52 (prevalence of night eating syndrome was 3.0%). Overall, the average BMI was 23.7 ± 4.5 kg/m2 (27.2% of students were overweight and 7.5% were obese). Moderate level of stress as measured by the PSS was observed 61.8% and high level of stress was recorded among 5.8%. Also, 9.2% students reported moderate BAI score and 6.0% students reported severe BAI score. After adjustment for socio-demographic characteristics, health behaviors, sleep, stress and anxiety levels, no association of night eating with BMI and waist circumference was observed. Conclusion: These findings showed that there is an absence of the association between night eating, BMI and waist circumference among students who live in a post-conflict setting. There may be other factors that mediate the relationship between food intake at night and body mass index. © The Author(s) 2025.

The intake of food later in the evening can have harmful health consequences. Some researchers suggest that having certain personality characteristics may be associated with the onset of eating disorders. There is a lack of studies on personality traits and night eating in a complex socio-political setting. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between personality traits and more intense night eating among students in northern Kosovo. A cross-section study was conducted in a population of health science students at the University in Kosovska Mitrovica. Students completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), HEXACO-60 personality inventory, Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The independent variables (exposures) were the six domains of the HEXACO-60 (Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience). The study outcome was the NEQ score. The study sample consisted of 534 students. The prevalence of night eating syndrome was 3.0%. The multivariate linear regression model suggested that stronger Extraversion and Openness to Experience were associated with more frequent night eating. Additionally, later bedtime, poorer sleep quality and higher scores on BDI and BAI were associated with more frequent night eating across all six models of models of personality traits. In a population of health science students who live in a complex socio-political environment, extraversion and openness to experience traits were associated with more frequent night eating. These findings could help researchers and clinicians tailor specific behavioral therapies to match the personality traits of people with night eating issues. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

The intake of food later in the evening can have harmful health consequences. Some researchers suggest that having certain personality characteristics may be associated with the onset of eating disorders. There is a lack of studies on personality traits and night eating in a complex socio-political setting. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between personality traits and more intense night eating among students in northern Kosovo. A cross-section study was conducted in a population of health science students at the University in Kosovska Mitrovica. Students completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), HEXACO-60 personality inventory, Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The independent variables (exposures) were the six domains of the HEXACO-60 (Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience). The study outcome was the NEQ score. The study sample consisted of 534 students. The prevalence of night eating syndrome was 3.0%. The multivariate linear regression model suggested that stronger Extraversion and Openness to Experience were associated with more frequent night eating. Additionally, later bedtime, poorer sleep quality and higher scores on BDI and BAI were associated with more frequent night eating across all six models of models of personality traits. In a population of health science students who live in a complex socio-political environment, extraversion and openness to experience traits were associated with more frequent night eating. These findings could help researchers and clinicians tailor specific behavioral therapies to match the personality traits of people with night eating issues. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.