Final answer:
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by binge eating followed by compensating behaviors such as excessive exercising, as in Julia's case. Despite potentially having a normal weight, individuals with this disorder may suffer from serious health problems due to their compensating actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by attempts to compensate for the excessive amount of food that was consumed. This compensation can occur in various forms such as self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives, and excessive exercising. In the scenario described, Julia consumes large meals throughout the day and then compensates by spending hours at the gym. This behavior aligns with a non-purging type of bulimia nervosa, where excessive exercising is used instead of vomiting or laxatives as a form of purging.
Individuals with bulimia nervosa often maintain a normal weight despite their binge-purge cycles. The repeated strain on the body caused by these behaviors can lead to serious health issues, including electrolyte imbalances, irregular heartbeat, and other complications.