Final answer:
Bulimia nervosa involves binge eating and purging behaviors, often resulting in normal weight, while anorexia nervosa involves severe weight restriction leading to being underweight, with both disorders posing serious health risks and influenced by social and genetic factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa lies in the eating patterns and body weight concerns of those affected. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting, excessive exercise, or use of laxatives to avoid weight gain. On the other hand, anorexia nervosa involves maintaining a significantly low body weight through starvation or excessive exercise, combined with a severe fear of weight gain and a distorted body image.
Individuals with bulimia nervosa may maintain a normal weight, but they face serious health problems such as electrolyte imbalances and irregular heartbeat. In contrast, those with anorexia nervosa are typically underweight and may suffer from bone loss, heart and kidney failure, reproductive issues, and at worst, death. Social factors, cultural influences, and possibly genetics contribute to the risk of developing these disorders.