Between 1975 & 1985, 3.8% of patients referred to the Maudsley Hospital with anorexia & bulimia were adoptees. This exceeds the rate of adoption (1.5%) in the general population matched for year of birth. The 18 adoptees with eating disorders had significantly more associated behavioural disturbance, including parasuicidal acts, & lower academic achievement than the 18 matched controls, & different precipitating factors. (25 refs.)