A key symptom of bulimia includes:

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by the cycle of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as purging or excessive exercise. Compulsive exercise is a significant symptom associated with bulimia because individuals may feel the need to engage in physical activity to counteract the effects of binge eating or to manage their weight. This excessive focus on exercise can be detrimental to their health and is a critical indicator of the disorder.

Other symptoms like bloating and cold intolerance, nausea and dizziness, or malaise and fever may occur in various conditions but are not specific or defining symptoms of bulimia. While some individuals with bulimia might experience these symptoms due to the physical effects of their eating behaviors, they are not key indicators in the diagnosis of the disorder. The emphasis on compulsive exercise directly highlights one of the hallmark behaviors that individuals with bulimia may engage in to cope with their eating disorder.