Which emotional disorder involves distortion of body image and an obsession with losing weight, often with cycles of overeating followed by purging?

• A. Anorexia
• B. Malnutrition
• C. Cachexia
• D. Bulimia

Answer: (D)

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder defined by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, laxatives, or excessive exercise. A hallmark is a strong preoccupation with body shape and weight and often a distorted body image. People with this pattern may maintain a normal or near-normal weight, which helps distinguish it from purely restrictive eating patterns. The other options describe physical conditions or different patterns of eating disorders and don’t fit the described binge-purge cycle with body-image concerns as clearly.