A condition in which a person reduces eating to the point that weight loss of 15 percent below ideal body weight or more occurs is called what?

A condition in which a person reduces eating to the point that weight loss of 15 percent below ideal body weight or more occurs is called what?

• A. Bulimia nervosa
• B. Anorexia nervosa
• C. Binge eating disorder
• D. Pica

Answer: (B)

This item tests your ability to distinguish eating disorders by patterns of eating and body weight. The described pattern—restricting food intake to the point of significant weight loss, about 15 percent below ideal—fits anorexia nervosa, which centers on extreme food restriction and an intense fear of gaining weight, often with a distorted view of one's body. In anorexia nervosa, the fear and preoccupation with weight drive the behavior, not just a desire to lose weight. Other disorders present differently: bulimia nervosa involves episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting or misuse of laxatives, and people may have a normal or only slightly underweight appearance. Binge eating disorder features recurrent binge eating without regular purging. Pica is about eating non-nutritive substances and isn’t linked to weight loss.

This item tests your ability to distinguish eating disorders by patterns of eating and body weight. The described pattern—restricting food intake to the point of significant weight loss, about 15 percent below ideal—fits anorexia nervosa, which centers on extreme food restriction and an intense fear of gaining weight, often with a distorted view of one's body. In anorexia nervosa, the fear and preoccupation with weight drive the behavior, not just a desire to lose weight.

Other disorders present differently: bulimia nervosa involves episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting or misuse of laxatives, and people may have a normal or only slightly underweight appearance. Binge eating disorder features recurrent binge eating without regular purging. Pica is about eating non-nutritive substances and isn’t linked to weight loss.