Which term describes excessive eating at mealtimes associated with diabetes symptoms?

• A. Excessive drinking
• B. Weight gain only
• C. Polyphagia (excessive eating at mealtimes)
• D. Excessive urination

Answer: (C)

Polyphagia, or excessive eating at mealtimes, describes a hunger that persists despite food intake. In diabetes, this happens because cells aren’t getting the glucose they need (due to insufficient insulin or insulin resistance), so the body keeps signaling for more fuel. That can manifest as increased appetite and eating even as blood glucose stays high.

Excessive drinking is polydipsia, excessive urination is polyuria, and while weight changes can occur in diabetes, weight gain alone isn’t the specific symptom described by this term.