Which of the following factors distinguishes binge eating disorder from bulimia nervosa?

The distinguishing factor between binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa is indeed the presence of compensatory behaviors following binge episodes. In binge eating disorder, individuals experience episodes of eating large quantities of food in a short period of time but do not engage in behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting that are typical in bulimia nervosa.

In bulimia nervosa, the act of binge eating is followed by these compensatory behaviors, which are intended to prevent weight gain or manage feelings of distress associated with eating. Individuals with binge eating disorder, on the other hand, may experience marked distress regarding their eating but do not resort to these compensatory methods, which is why the absence of these behaviors is a key distinguishing characteristic.

Therefore, while both conditions involve binge eating, it is the lack of compensatory behaviors in binge eating disorder that sets it apart from bulimia nervosa. This emphasizes the importance of recognizing the behavioral patterns that define each disorder for effective diagnosis and treatment.