What signifies non-purging anorexia nervosa?

Non-purging anorexia nervosa is characterized by a restriction of food intake without the use of purging behaviors such as vomiting or laxative use. Individuals with this form of anorexia often minimize food intake significantly over an extended period of time, focusing on calorie restriction as a primary means of managing their weight and body image. This behavior distinguishes it from other eating disorders that involve compensatory purging behaviors, as it emphasizes a direct approach to controlling food consumption rather than attempting to "undo" eating through methods like vomiting or laxatives.

In contrast, the other options involve behaviors associated with either purging or episodes of disordered eating. For example, excessive exercise and vomiting directly entail purging behaviors, while the use of laxatives is a method of purging as well. Overeating followed by fasting is indicative of binge-eating patterns, leading to compensatory fasting rather than solely restricting food intake. Thus, minimizing food intake is the hallmark of non-purging anorexia nervosa.