F2 · Eating more than the body needs
Actual Food and fluids
Definition
Intake is higher than the body uses, leading to unhealthy weight gain.- Large portions
- low activity
- stress eating
- medicines
- thyroid problems
- Weight above the healthy range
- eating when not hungry
- breathlessness on effort
📋 Scenario
A man with diabetes has gained 10 kg and snacks late at night.
Subjective (S): "I snack at night when I'm bored."
Objective (O): Weight 98 kg, BMI 34; blood sugar 11 mmol/L; waist 112 cm; diet history shows large evening portions.
Assessment tools for this scenario: CP-FLUID Fluid Balance & Nutrition Score
Validated scales to consider: MUST, fluid chart, glucose
**CarePath diagnosis:** Eating more than the body needs related to large portions, as evidenced by weight above the healthy range and eating when not hungry.
**Interventions and rationale**
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Assess eating habits. | Learning when and why he eats, such as evening snacks from boredom, shows what to target. |
| Set small realistic goals. | Small goals are more achievable and build confidence, which lasts longer than drastic changes. |
| Teach portion control and activity. | Portion control and activity lower energy intake and raise energy use, which improves weight and blood sugar. |
| Involve a dietitian. | A dietitian tailors a plan to his diabetes and food preferences. |
| Praise progress. | Praise motivates, supports self-esteem and helps him keep up the changes. |
**Expected outcomes**
- Within 1 week: sets 2 realistic eating goals.
- Over 4 weeks: loses 0.5-1 kg per week.
- Names 3 portion-control strategies.
**Linking the data to the diagnosis**
The man has diabetes and has gained 10 kg. He weighs 98 kg with a BMI of 34 and a waist of 112 cm, blood sugar is 11 mmol/L, and the diet history shows large evening portions. He says he snacks at night when he is bored. This is an actual problem because the excess intake and weight gain are already present, so a risk statement is not needed. Unsteady blood sugar could be confused with it, but the sugar is a result here, not the main problem. The plan aims for two realistic eating goals in 1 week, loss of 0.5-1 kg per week over 4 weeks, and three portion-control strategies named.
CarePath diagnosis
Eating more than the body needs related to large portions, as evidenced by weight above the healthy range and eating when not hungry.
Interventions and rationale
Listed in priority order.
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| 1. Assess eating habits. | Learning when and why he eats, such as evening snacks from boredom, shows what to target. |
| 2. Set small realistic goals. | Small goals are more achievable and build confidence, which lasts longer than drastic changes. |
| 3. Teach portion control and activity. | Portion control and activity lower energy intake and raise energy use, which improves weight and blood sugar. |
| 4. Involve a dietitian. | A dietitian tailors a plan to his diabetes and food preferences. |
| 5. Praise progress. | Praise motivates, supports self-esteem and helps him keep up the changes. |
Expected outcomes
- Within 1 week: sets 2 realistic eating goals.
- Over 4 weeks: loses 0.5-1 kg per week.
- Names 3 portion-control strategies.
Linking the data to the diagnosis
The man has diabetes and has gained 10 kg. He weighs 98 kg with a BMI of 34 and a waist of 112 cm, blood sugar is 11 mmol/L, and the diet history shows large evening portions. He says he snacks at night when he is bored. This is an actual problem because the excess intake and weight gain are already present, so a risk statement is not needed. Unsteady blood sugar could be confused with it, but the sugar is a result here, not the main problem. The plan aims for two realistic eating goals in 1 week, loss of 0.5-1 kg per week over 4 weeks, and three portion-control strategies named.