What Do You Call Someone That Eats Too Much?

December 20, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research published by the Cleveland Clinic, occasional overeating is a very common human experience. However, when it becomes a pattern, people often wonder what do you call someone that eats too much, seeking to understand the labels and the behaviors behind them. This article explores the various terms, from historical to medical, and delves into the psychological factors that drive excessive eating.

Quick Summary

This article explores the different terms for a person who eats excessively, including historical, slang, and medical definitions. It covers the psychological and physical reasons for overeating, discusses the distinctions between terms like 'glutton' and 'overeater,' and provides context on the nuanced nature of these labels.

Key Points

Historical Context: The term 'glutton' originates from religious teachings, where it was considered a vice representing greed and a lack of self-control.
Modern Terminology: In contemporary and medical contexts, 'overeater' or clinical terms like 'polyphagia' and 'hyperphagia' are used, shifting focus from moral judgment to a medical or behavioral perspective.
Psychological Roots: Excessive eating is often linked to psychological factors, including emotional eating, stress, boredom, and imbalances in the brain's reward system.
Medical Diagnoses: Severe, repetitive overeating episodes associated with a loss of control are characteristic of Binge Eating Disorder (BED), a recognized eating disorder.
Empathy Over Labels: It is important to approach the topic with empathy, recognizing that overeating can have complex underlying causes that require support, not shame.
Behavioral vs. Moral: The difference between terms lies in their implied cause, with 'glutton' suggesting a moral failing and 'overeater' describing a behavior with various potential roots.
Mindful Approaches: Practices like mindful eating, stress management, and seeking professional help are productive ways to address and overcome overeating habits.

From Historical Sin to Modern-Day Condition: Unpacking the Labels

For centuries, the concept of eating too much has been a subject of moral, medical, and social commentary. The simplest and most direct answer to what do you call someone that eats too much is a 'glutton,' a word deeply rooted in history and religious doctrine. However, this term, along with more modern colloquialisms, often fails to capture the complexity behind the behavior. Understanding the full scope of language and science behind excessive eating provides a more empathetic perspective.

The Historical and Etymological Roots: The Glutton

The term 'glutton' comes from the Latin word gluttire, meaning to gulp or swallow, and was historically codified as one of the Seven Deadly Sins in Christianity. Theologians like Thomas Aquinas defined gluttony not just as eating too much, but also eating too expensively, too eagerly, and at inappropriate times. This historical context explains why the word carries a moralistic and often judgmental connotation today. To call someone a glutton is to imply a lack of self-control, a failing of character rather than an issue of biology or psychology.

Modern Colloquial and Slang Terms

Beyond formal language, a variety of colloquial terms exist, many of which are unflattering and overly simplistic. These include slang like 'pig' or 'hog,' which are typically used to shame or belittle an individual. Other phrases, such as 'gourmand,' can be ambiguous. While some use 'gourmand' to describe someone who simply enjoys food, others define it as a person who eats excessively. This confusion highlights the sensitivity required when discussing eating habits.

Medical Terminology for Excessive Appetite

In medical and psychological fields, the language used is more precise and avoids the moral judgment of older terms. The most common term for extreme, insatiable hunger is polyphagia or hyperphagia. These are recognized medical symptoms that may indicate an underlying condition, such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or certain mental health disorders. Excessive overeating, especially in episodes of large consumption accompanied by a sense of loss of control, is a defining characteristic of Binge Eating Disorder (BED), a clinically recognized condition. Using clinical terms helps separate the behavior from personal blame, shifting the focus to a treatable health issue.

Psychological Factors Behind Overeating

Overeating is rarely just about hunger. Psychological factors play a massive role, influencing why, when, and how much a person eats.

Emotional Eating: Many people use food as a coping mechanism to deal with negative emotions like stress, boredom, loneliness, or anxiety. The pleasure derived from certain foods provides a temporary escape from difficult feelings, creating a reward loop in the brain.
Habit and Environment: Routine and environmental cues can trigger overeating. Eating while watching TV, for instance, is a classic example of mindless eating where a person consumes more than they intend.
Dopamine and Reward Deficiency: Some research suggests that a reward deficiency syndrome, linked to a person's dopamine system, can drive excessive eating. For individuals with fewer dopamine receptors, it takes more food to achieve the same feeling of reward.

Addressing the Behavior with Compassion

Regardless of the label, addressing the root causes of overeating is key. This involves moving away from judgmental terms and focusing on supportive strategies. Mindfulness, stress management, and seeking professional help for underlying conditions are far more productive than name-calling.

Comparison: Glutton vs. Overeater vs. Binge Eater

To better understand the differences, here is a comparison of common terms for someone who eats too much:


Feature	Glutton	Overeater	Binge Eater
Connotation	Highly negative, morally judgmental	Descriptive, neutral or slightly negative	Clinical, non-judgmental
Behavior	Excessive eating driven by greed	Consumes more food than necessary for sustenance	Consumes an unusually large amount of food in a short period, accompanied by loss of control
Cause	Historically linked to a moral failing or vice	Can be due to physical hunger, habit, or emotion	Primarily driven by psychological distress or a diagnosed eating disorder
Underlying Issues	None implied, purely a character flaw	Varies; can be emotional, habitual, or a result of environmental factors	Psychological issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, or addiction
Treatment Focus	Historically, moral correction or religious penance	Lifestyle adjustments like mindful eating, hydration, stress management	Medical intervention, therapy, support groups

Conclusion: Choosing Precision and Empathy

While a single word like 'glutton' offers a quick and historically-rooted answer to what do you call someone that eats too much, it is a term that lacks nuance and empathy. The modern understanding of excessive eating acknowledges the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. By using more precise and less judgmental language, such as 'overeater' for a pattern of behavior or clinical terms like 'polyphagia' and 'binge eater' for diagnosed conditions, we can foster a more compassionate and productive conversation around this common issue. The best approach is to move beyond labels and address the root causes with support, not shame. To learn more about emotional eating and its effects, consider exploring resources from reputable health organizations. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24680-overeating

Frequently Asked Questions

A glutton is an excessively greedy eater who consumes food excessively out of vice. A gourmand historically also meant someone who eats excessively but can also refer to a connoisseur who enjoys food, often in large quantities.

The medical term for extreme, insatiable hunger is polyphagia or hyperphagia. It is considered a medical symptom that can be caused by underlying conditions like diabetes or hormonal imbalances.

While related, they are not the same. Emotional eating is using food to cope with feelings, which can lead to overeating. Binge eating, a core symptom of Binge Eating Disorder, involves consuming a large amount of food in a short time with a sense of loss of control.

Stress causes the body to release cortisol, a hormone that can increase appetite and cravings for high-calorie, sugary foods. For many, eating becomes a coping mechanism to manage stress and discomfort.

Yes. Excessive eating, especially binge eating, can be a symptom of underlying psychological issues like depression, anxiety disorders, and trauma. It is also a key feature of Binge Eating Disorder.

This is an idiomatic phrase that describes someone who seems to enjoy or willingly accepts difficult or unpleasant tasks. It extends the idea of excess from eating to enduring hardship.

Strategies include practicing mindful eating, staying hydrated, managing stress, eating balanced meals regularly, and avoiding distractions while eating. If the problem is persistent, seeking professional guidance is recommended.