A woman who binge-eats and purges is most likely to present with which physical finding?

In the case of a woman who engages in binge-eating and purging, the physical finding most often associated with these behaviors is parotid gland enlargement. This condition arises from frequent vomiting, which can lead to a variety of complications, including sialadenosis—a non-inflammatory swelling of the salivary glands. The parotid glands are particularly affected because they are paired glands located near the jaw, and the mechanical stress and stimulation from repeated purging episode can cause hypertrophy and enlargement.

Patients may also experience other symptoms such as dental erosion due to stomach acid exposure, electrolyte imbalances, and sore throats; however, the specific finding of parotid gland enlargement serves as a distinctive marker of this eating disorder behavior.

It’s important to recognize that the other physical findings mentioned are less characteristic or indicative of purging behavior. Bradycardia is more commonly associated with conditions like anorexia nervosa, decreased vibratory sensation at the ankles could suggest peripheral neuropathy often related to various metabolic disorders, and sparse hair growth could indicate hormonal imbalances typically seen in chronic malnutrition rather than an immediate consequence of binge-eating and purging.