Robbie Williams eats when he’s ASLEEP due to rare disorder linked to drug abuse and alcoholism
The pop star is thought to be suffering with nocturnal sleep-related eating disorder
POP star Robbie Williams has revealed he suffers from a bizarre condition that sees him gorge on sugary treats while he sleeps.
The Angels singer said he had been battling the condition, thought to be nocturnal sleep-related eating disorder (NS-RED) for more than a year, making him gain weight in the process.
Speaking on his new vlog, Vloggie, he said: "I'm doing this weird thing, it's very weird and it has been over a year now, where I night eat.
"Absolutely asleep and I get up and go and eat.
"I didn't know I was doing it for a long time.
"I don't do it on purpose, I am not aware that I am doing it, but it happens.
"Apparently in my sleep I don't want kale, I want sugar and loads of it.
"It’s been super weird, as you can imagine, so that leaves me not a lot of room for [eating] bad stuff during the day because bad stuff happens while I sleep."
Nocturnal sleep-related eating disorder is thought to be a sleep disorder.
People with the condition may eat in bed or roam around the house while snacking.
People with NS-RED are not conscious when they binge during the night.
They have no memories of having got up during the night and eaten.
It is thought the condition affects about one to three per cent of the general population, according to eating disorder
The problem may be chronic, meaning it happens all the time, or it may happen once or twice then not again for a while.
Dr Clare Morrison, GP at online doctor and pharmacy MedExpress, "Most people who suffer from NS-RED are highly anxious individuals, with many of them dieting during the day, leaving them very hungry at night, when their control is weak.
"They often suffer from fragmented sleep patterns. NS-RED could also have a genetic component."
It is not clear what causes the condition but it is commonly thought that diet restriction during the day makes an individual more prone to binging unconsciously at night.
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It can also be caused by stressful situations or anxiety.
People who suffer from NS-RED are at a higher risk of health problems such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Dr Morrison said sufferers sometimes have a history of drug abuse and alcoholism.
And she said it was not surprising Robbie has experienced weight gain, especially if he was opting for sugary treats while having an episode of NS-RED.
If you think you may be suffering with the condition you should speak to your GP.
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