Final answer:
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting or using laxatives, distinct from anorexia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and orthorexia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The behavior of overeating high-calorie foods and then using methods such as vomiting or laxatives to avoid absorbing these foods is characteristic of an eating disorder called bulimia nervosa. Bulimia nervosa involves recurring instances where a person consumes a large amount of food in a short period (binge eating), followed by a compensatory action to 'purge' the food from their body to manage weight.
These purging methods can be harmful and lead to serious health conditions including electrolyte imbalances and heart issues. It is distinct from anorexia nervosa, which is characterized by severe restriction of food intake, binge-eating disorder, where individuals binge but do not engage in purging behaviors, and orthorexia, an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating.