The purpose of this article is to relate the links between the mother's attachment to the child and eating disorder behavior. In this article the two main theorists considered are Mary S. Ainsworth and John Bowlby. Mary S. Ainsworth's framework of attachment theory began in Uganda, while studying individual difference in infant behavior, known as the Strange Situation. John Bowlby coined maternal infant attachment theory based on the psychoanalytic theory of object relations and the conceptualization that children need healthy maternal bonds for their later functioning as adolescents. Over the last 30 years, eating disorders have reached epidemic proportions. Research shows that individuals with eating disorders have higher levels of insecure attachment than individuals who do not suffer from eating disorders. Today, mental health professionals are becoming aware that both women and men suffer from eating disorders. Eating disorders have been recognized across all socioeconomic and racial groups around the world. In summary, the present study will distinguish whether previous attachment difficulties have any relationship with eating disorder symptomatology. Keywords: child-mother attachment, eating disorders, avoidant, secure IntroductionJohn BowlbyJohn Bowlby began researching his theory, after graduating from Cambridge University, he began directing his observations, while working in a group home for boys, who suffered of behavioral problems. Bowlby believes that the attachment process involves the cognitive and emotional characteristics of the attachment figure, the psyche and the environment, based on experience (Cassidy & Shaver, 1999). Attachment theory initially began by delineating the existence of normal and abnormal behaviors…half of the article…sensitive mothers were more likely to be classified as insecure” (Bretherton, 1992, p.770). “Secure attachments provide the child with a sense of comfort and predictability, encouraging the child to approach rather than avoid new developmental and interpersonal challenges” (Rice & Mirzadeh, 2000, p. 239). For example, infants cried when separated from their mother, but when the mother returned, the infant was calm and comforted by the mother's voice (Karen, 1994). “Mothers of definitely attached infants were found to be more responsive to their infants' feeding and crying cues and readily returned the infants' smiles” (Karen, 1998, p.2). Approximately 65-66% of American children have secure attachment relationships (Shaver & Cassidy, 1999). Children with secure attachment histories are more prone to psychological stress and anxiety as adolescents.