Anorexia nervosa involves extreme weight loss due to an obsessive fear of obesity and self imposed starvation, while Bulimia nervosa involves consuming large amount of food followed by self induced vomiting, the use of laxatives, and / or extreme exercise. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by weight loss; difficulties maintaining an appropriate body weight for height, age, and stature, and, in many individuals, distorted body image. Bulimia nervosa on the other hand is characterized by repeated episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors.