The binge is followed by some form of purging behavior designed to prevent weight gain. It occurs in 0.5 percent to 2.0 percent of adolescents and young adult women. It appears to be relatively uncommon in men. It typically develops in early to mid-adolescents. It is usually preceded by dieting behavior.
Bulimics are usually of average or above average weight.
Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by size and weight. A complex lifestyle develops to accommodate eating disorder behaviors. There is full recognition of the behavior as abnormal. Binges are the secretive, periods of rapid consumption of high-caloric foods over a discrete period of time. Most bulimics follow bingeing with self-induced vomiting.