Which eating disorder is characterized by a pattern of binge eating and purging?

The eating disorder characterized by a pattern of binge eating followed by purging is Bulimia nervosa. Individuals with this disorder often engage in episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short period (bingeing) and then attempt to compensate for this behavior through unhealthy mechanisms like self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives (purging). This cycle can be driven by feelings of loss of control around food and an intense concern about body weight and shape.

In contrast, anorexia nervosa involves extreme restriction of food intake and a fear of gaining weight, rather than binge eating. Pica refers to the consumption of non-food substances and is not related to bingeing or purging behaviors. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) involves binge eating without the compensatory behaviors seen in Bulimia nervosa. Thus, Bulimia nervosa uniquely encompasses both the bingeing and purging cycles, making it the correct answer.