Which eating disorder is defined by recurrent episodes of uncontrolled binge eating followed by compensatory actions?

Which eating disorder is defined by recurrent episodes of uncontrolled binge eating followed by compensatory actions?

• A. Anorexia nervosa
• B. Bulimia nervosa
• C. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• D. Night eating syndrome

Answer: (B)

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, where an individual consumes an excessive amount of food in a relatively short period, accompanied by a feeling of loss of control over eating. To counteract the effects of binge eating, individuals with bulimia nervosa engage in compensatory behaviors. These can include self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, fasting, or misuse of laxatives. The condition contrasts with anorexia nervosa, where the primary feature is an intense fear of gaining weight leading to severe restriction of food intake and significant weight loss, rather than episodic bingeing and compensatory behaviors. While obsessive-compulsive disorder can involve food-related compulsions and night eating syndrome involves consuming large amounts of food during the night, they do not specifically include the cycle of bingeing followed by compensatory measures that defines bulimia nervosa.

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, where an individual consumes an excessive amount of food in a relatively short period, accompanied by a feeling of loss of control over eating. To counteract the effects of binge eating, individuals with bulimia nervosa engage in compensatory behaviors. These can include self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, fasting, or misuse of laxatives.

The condition contrasts with anorexia nervosa, where the primary feature is an intense fear of gaining weight leading to severe restriction of food intake and significant weight loss, rather than episodic bingeing and compensatory behaviors. While obsessive-compulsive disorder can involve food-related compulsions and night eating syndrome involves consuming large amounts of food during the night, they do not specifically include the cycle of bingeing followed by compensatory measures that defines bulimia nervosa.