Which of the following is a side effect of bulimia?

• A. Loss of teeth
• B. Starvation
• C. Reproductive system problems
• D. High cholesterol

Answer: (A)

The key concept is how bulimia’s purging behavior directly affects the body, especially the teeth. Repeated vomiting exposes teeth to stomach acid, which erodes the enamel that coats and protects teeth. As enamel wears away, teeth become more sensitive, prone to cavities and chipping, and over time this damage can lead to tooth loss. That direct link between vomiting and enamel erosion makes loss of teeth a classic side effect of bulimia.

Starvation is more typically associated with anorexia nervosa, not bulimia, since bulimia involves cycles of bingeing and purging rather than sustained under-eating alone. Reproductive system problems and high cholesterol can occur with various eating disorders or nutritional imbalances, but they aren’t as immediate or specific a consequence of bulimia as enamel erosion and tooth loss.