Which disorder is defined by a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clinging behavior?

Dependent personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, which results in submissive and clinging behaviors toward others. Individuals with this disorder often have difficulty making decisions without excessive advice and reassurance, show a fear of separation, and may go to great lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others. This pattern of behavior impacts their daily functioning and quality of life, as they may struggle with independence and self-sufficiency due to their overwhelming dependence on others for emotional and physical needs.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of personality and eating disorders. Narcissistic personality disorder involves a pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy, rather than dependency. Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, and obesity is primarily a condition related to excessive body weight rather than a specific personality or psychological disorder. Thus, dependent personality disorder is uniquely defined by its emphasis on reliance and submissiveness, making it the correct choice for this question.