Which disorder is characterized by a weekend binge of large quantities of food?

The disorder characterized by a weekend binge of large quantities of food is binge-eating disorder. This condition is defined by recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food in a discrete period, often accompanied by feelings of loss of control during the binge. Unlike bulimia nervosa, individuals with binge-eating disorder do not engage in regular compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting or excessive exercise. The binges can occur infrequently or several times a week, and they often lead to feelings of distress, guilt, or embarrassment.

Pica involves the consumption of non-food substances and does not include binge eating episodes. Bulimia nervosa is similar in that it involves binge eating, but it is marked by compensatory behaviors that individuals use to prevent weight gain, which are not present in binge-eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by restricted food intake and a significantly low body weight, alongside an intense fear of gaining weight.

Thus, the defining features of binge-eating disorder align with the description of engaging in weekend binges of large quantities of food, making it the correct choice.