What characterizes the binge-eat/purge type of anorexia nervosa?

The binge-eat/purge type of anorexia nervosa is characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting, to prevent weight gain. This subtype involves not only restricting food intake but also engaging in behaviors that are aimed at purging the calories consumed during these binge episodes.

Individuals with this type often feel a lack of control during their binge eating episodes, followed by intense feelings of guilt and anxiety that lead them to purge. This cycle emphasizes the struggle with body image and weight that defines anorexia nervosa, even in the face of normal or above-normal body weight during some periods.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the characteristics of the binge-eat/purge type. Constant eating and eating without restraint are more reflective of other eating disorders, while skipping meals entirely does not encompass the essential aspects of this specific subtype, which involves both binge eating and subsequent purging behaviors. Thus, vomiting after meals directly ties to the purging behavior indicative of the binge-eat/purge type of anorexia nervosa.