[Attachment theory and eating disorders--theoretical and empirical issues].

The paper presents the attachment theory in relation to eating disorders. In the first part, the classic concepts of anorexia and bulimia nervosa are discussed taking into account assumptions of Bowlby's and his followers' model. In the second part, empirical data on anorexia and bulimia nervosa and attachment patterns are presented. The importance of methodological issues is stressed regarding the attachment model particularly in eating disorders. In the conclusion significant findings correlation of attachment patterns and eating disorders are indicated.