Which of the following is a key difference between bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder?

• A. Binge eating disorder always results in significant weight loss, whereas bulimia nervosa leads to weight gain.
• B. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by a lack of concern about body weight, while binge eating disorder involves an intense fear of gaining weight.
• C. Bulimia nervosa occurs only in adolescents, while binge eating disorder is exclusive to adults.
• D. Individuals with bulimia nervosa regularly engage in compensatory behaviors such as purging, while those with binge eating disorder do not.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the core characteristics of bulimia nervosa. Bulimia nervosa involves episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging (e.g., vomiting, excessive exercise) to prevent weight gain.
2. Step 2: Understand the core characteristics of binge eating disorder. This disorder involves recurrent episodes of binge eating without subsequent compensatory behaviors, which often leads to weight gain or obesity.
3. Step 3: Compare the role of compensatory behaviors in both disorders. Bulimia nervosa includes these behaviors as a key diagnostic feature, whereas binge eating disorder does not involve purging or other compensatory actions.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the incorrect options by considering clinical facts: bulimia nervosa does not always lead to weight gain, and binge eating disorder does not always cause weight loss; concerns about body weight differ; and both disorders can occur across various age groups, not limited to adolescents or adults exclusively.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the key difference lies in the presence of compensatory behaviors in bulimia nervosa, which are absent in binge eating disorder.