Which eating disorder is characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain?

• A. Anorexia nervosa
• B. Bulimia nervosa
• C. Binge-eating disorder
• D. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder

Answer: (B)

Bulimia nervosa is defined by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain. During a binge, a person consumes a large amount of food in a short period and feels a sense of loss of control. To neutralize the fear of gaining weight, they then engage in actions such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise. This pattern can occur even when weight is normal or only mildly above normal, which helps distinguish it from other disorders.

Anorexia nervosa focuses on severe restriction and often leads to significantly low body weight, with intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. Binge-eating disorder involves recurrent binge eating without the regular compensatory behaviors used to prevent weight gain. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder centers on avoiding or restricting foods for reasons like sensory preferences or fear of aversive outcomes, without the binge-purge cycle.