What distinguishes bulimia nervosa from other eating disorders?

Bulimia nervosa is primarily characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercise. What sets bulimia apart from other eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, is that individuals with bulimia often maintain a body weight that is within the normal range or even above normal. This contrasts with anorexia, where individuals typically exhibit significant weight loss and are underweight.

In bulimia nervosa, the focus is not solely on weight loss but also on the cycles of bingeing and purging, which can happen regardless of a person's weight. This means that someone might engage in bulimic behaviors while still having a body mass index (BMI) that is considered normal or even overweight. Understanding this aspect is crucial for differentiating bulimia nervosa from other disorders, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the binge-purge cycle rather than just focusing on weight.

The other provided options do not accurately reflect the defining characteristics of bulimia nervosa. For instance, severe weight loss is more commonly associated with anorexia nervosa. While anxiety disorders are often comorbid with eating disorders, they are not a definitive feature of bulimia. Lastly, complete avoidance of food is typically indicative of restrictive eating