Which eating disorder is characterized by binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise?

Which eating disorder is characterized by binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise?

• A. Anorexia
• B. Binge behavior
• C. Orthorexia
• D. Bulimia

Answer: (D)

This pattern of episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain is bulimia nervosa. The key idea is the cycle: losing control during a binge, then repeatedly trying to undo the impact with actions like self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise. This differentiates bulimia from anorexia nervosa, where the hallmark is severe restriction and typically very low body weight; from binge eating disorder, where binge episodes occur without the regular compensatory behaviors; and from orthorexia, which centers on an obsession with healthy or “pure” eating rather than a binge-purge cycle. Keep in mind that people with bulimia can have normal or even high body weight, unlike classic anorexia.

This pattern of episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain is bulimia nervosa. The key idea is the cycle: losing control during a binge, then repeatedly trying to undo the impact with actions like self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise. This differentiates bulimia from anorexia nervosa, where the hallmark is severe restriction and typically very low body weight; from binge eating disorder, where binge episodes occur without the regular compensatory behaviors; and from orthorexia, which centers on an obsession with healthy or “pure” eating rather than a binge-purge cycle. Keep in mind that people with bulimia can have normal or even high body weight, unlike classic anorexia.