Final answer:
The disorder characterized by binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like forced vomiting is called bulimia nervosa. People with this disorder may have a normal weight but often face serious health risks such as electrolyte imbalances and irregular heartbeat.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disorder that is characterized by eating binges followed by compensatory behavior such as forced vomiting is called bulimia nervosa. Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent episodes of binge eating where individuals consume large amounts of food in a short period. This is followed by attempts to compensate for the excessive intake of calories through methods like self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives or enemas, diuretics, or excessive exercise. These behaviors stem from an extreme fear of weight gain and an associated desire to lose weight or prevent weight gain.
People suffering from bulimia nervosa may appear to have a normal weight but can experience serious health issues, including electrolyte imbalances and an irregular heartbeat. It is important to distinguish bulimia nervosa from other eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, where individuals restrict their food intake excessively, or binge-eating disorder, where individuals binge but do not engage in compensatory behaviors like purging.