Excessive Oral Intake (NI-2.

2)
Definition
Oral food/beverage intake that exceeds estimated energy needs, established reference standards, or
recommendations based on physiological needs. 

Note: This nutrition diagnosis does not include intake via oroenteric tube. 

May not be an appropriate nutrition diagnosis when weight gain is desired.

Etiology (Cause/Contributing Risk Factors)

Factors gathered during the nutrition assessment process that contribute to the existence or the maintenance
of pathophysiological, psychosocial, situational, developmental, cultural, and/or environmental problems:

 Unsupported beliefs/attitudes about food, nutrition, and nutrition-related topics 

 Food- and nutrition-related knowledge deficit concerning appropriate oral food/beverage intake
 Lack of or limited access to healthful food choices, e.g., healthful food choices not provided as an
option by caregiver or parent, homeless
 Lack of value for behavior change, competing values
 Inability to limit or refuse offered foods
 Lack of food planning, purchasing, and preparation skills
 Loss of appetite awareness
 Medications that increase appetite, e.g., steroids, antidepressants
 Psychological causes such as depression and disordered eating
 Unwilling or disinterested in reducing intake

Signs/Symptoms (Defining Characteristics)

A typical cluster of subjective and objective signs and symptoms gathered during the nutrition assessment
process that provide evidence that a problem exists; quantify the problem and describe its severity.

Nutrition Assessment Potential Indicators of This Nutrition Diagnosis (one or more must be

Category present)
Biochemical Data,
Medical Tests  
and Procedures
Anthropometric  Weight gain not attributed to fluid retention or normal growth
Measurements
Nutrition-Focused
Physical  
Findings
Reports or observations of:

 Intake of high caloric-density foods/beverages (juice, soda, or alcohol)

at meals and/or snacks
Food/Nutrition-Related  Intake of large portions of foods/beverages, food groups, or specific
History food items
 Estimated intake that exceeds estimated or measured energy needs
 Highly variable estimated daily energy intake
 Binge eating patterns
 Frequent, excessive fast food or restaurant intake
  Conditions associated with a diagnosis or treatment, e.g., obesity,
Client History overweight, or metabolic syndrome, depression, anxiety disorder

References

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Overeem S. High prevalence of eating disorders in narcolepsy with cataplexy: a case-control
study. Sleep. 2008;31:335-41.
3. Position of the American Dietetic Association: Weight management. J Am Diet Assoc.
2009;109:330-346.
4. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Total diet approach to healthy eating. J Acad
Nutr Diet. 2013;113:307-317.
5. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: The role of nutrition in health promotion
and chronic disease prevention. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013;113:972-979.
Siega-Riz AM, Haugen M, Meltzer HM, Von Holle A, Hamer R, Torgersen L, Knopf-Berg C, Reichborn-
Kjennerud T, Bulik CM. Nutrient and food group intakes of women with and without bulimia nervosa and
binge eating disorder during pregnancy. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008; 87:1346-55.