Polyphagia, also known as hyperphagia, is the medical term for excessive hunger or eating. Hunger is a normal desire or need for food. Individuals with polyphagia consume excessive amounts of food before experiencing feelings of fullness (satiety).

Increased hunger is not typically considered excessive if it follows a recent lack of eating. Individuals who have always had a hearty appetite are not considered polyphagic either.

Excessive hunger is not easily explained because every individual has unique caloric needs based on:

• Age
• Sex
• Basal metabolic rate (BMR, the rate at which a person expends energy during rest)
• Body size and composition
• Physical condition
• Level of activity

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) offers the following daily caloric recommendations:

A physician may make other recommendations based on a patient’s individual needs, concerns and conditions.

Depending on its cause, polyphagia can be intermittent or persistent. Individuals who experience polyphagia may or may not gain weight.