Bulimia nervosa is characterized by which of the following behaviors?

Bulimia nervosa is primarily characterized by the cycle of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, which frequently include purging. This means that individuals with bulimia will consume a large quantity of food in a short time during a binge episode, often feeling a lack of control over their eating during these episodes. To counteract the effects of binge eating and to prevent weight gain, individuals then engage in purging behaviors, which can include self-induced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives, or diuretics. This pattern of behavior is central to the diagnosis of bulimia nervosa.

The other behaviors listed in the choices are more aligned with different eating disorders or do not encapsulate the key elements of bulimia nervosa itself. For instance, severe restriction of food intake is characteristic of anorexia nervosa rather than bulimia. Regular over-exercising can occur in a range of eating disorders but is not a necessary component for the diagnosis of bulimia. Finally, constant monitoring of calorie intake might be seen in various individuals regardless of a specific eating disorder, and it does not capture the defining features of bulimia as effectively as the binge-purge cycle does. Thus, the behavior that best characterizes bulimia nervosa is indeed binge eating followed by