An eating disorder where a person maintains a starvation diet despite being underweight, sometimes accompanied by excessive exercise.

• A. Bulimia Nervosa
• B. Binge Eating Disorder
• C. Pica
• D. Anorexia Nervosa

Answer: (D)

Anorexia nervosa is defined by a persistent restriction of food intake that leads to a significantly low body weight, often accompanied by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. The scenario describes just that: a starvation-style diet despite being underweight, sometimes with excessive exercise. This pattern fits the restricting subtype of anorexia nervosa, where weight loss is achieved primarily through dieting and over-exercise rather than bingeing and purging.

Bulimia nervosa involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting, which typically doesn't result in an underweight status. Binge eating disorder centers on recurrent binge episodes without regular compensatory behaviors and often features normal weight or overweight. Pica involves eating non-nutritive substances and isn’t driven by weight concerns.