overfed

Overfed is an adjective used to describe an organism that has received more food or calories than its energy requirements. The term is commonly applied to humans and domesticated animals, but can also refer to livestock and wildlife under certain rearing conditions. Being overfed can occur through continuous access to food, large portions, or highly caloric diets, and may be intentional (for growth, fattening) or unintentional.

Causes include chronic caloric surplus, high-fat and high-sugar diets, sedentary behavior, and feeding practices such as free-feeding or over-reliance on fat-rich foods in animals; in institutional settings, meal planning and portion control influence intake.

In humans, being overfed can lead to overweight and obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In animals, overfeeding increases adiposity and can cause metabolic stress, joint problems, reproductive issues, and reduced lifespan in some species; it can also affect meat quality and growth in livestock.

Diagnosis involves assessment of body weight and composition. Humans often use body mass index (BMI) to screen; health professionals may measure waist circumference and metabolic markers. In animals, veterinarians use body condition score (BCS). Management centers on caloric restriction, improved diet quality, and physical activity for humans; for animals, scheduled feeding, portion control, enrichment, and, when needed, veterinary guidance.

The word "overfed" derives from "over-" + "feed" and functions as a past participle adjective indicating excessive feeding. It appears in medical, veterinary, nutritional, and lay contexts.