Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous is a support group for people with a history of uncontrollable food intake.

Overeaters Anonymous: The Premise

Overeaters Anonymous describes itself as a "fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength, and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating." It is an international, nonprofit organization that operates through a network of volunteers. Its main function is to offer a support system for people trying to overcome compulsive overeating and to spread the message of hope and recovery to those who are suffering in silence. The organization has no diet plan or diet book, and as a result, there is no calorie counting or recipe exchanging, no sharing of dieting tips, and no membership dues or fees.

Compulsive overeating can be stopped with Overeaters Anonymous, a weight-loss support group.
©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
Compulsive overeating is viewed by OA as an addiction.

There currently are about 7,000 groups meeting in more than 52 countries around the world. Overeaters Anonymous (OA) is completely self-supported through contributions and the sale of publications, one of which is an international monthly magazine called Lifeline, which includes true stories by OA members.
The Rationale

Compulsive overeating is viewed by OA as an addiction, just like drinking or gambling, and it is treated as such. In fact, the OA program is modeled after the 12-step program for Alcoholics Anonymous, which addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery.

Quick Take
  • Designed for people with a history of uncontrollable food intake and obesity
  • No specific diet plan, though the organization recommends that each member develops one with the assistance of a nutritionist
  • Requires members to follow a 12-step program modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous
Other Similar Diets
  • Since OA is not really a diet plan, there are no other similar programs. However, it is modeled after the 12-step programs of Alcoholics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous.

The only requirement for becoming a member of OA is a desire to stop eating compulsively. Each member has a sponsor, someone who is already a recovering member of OA. There is a strong spiritual component to the group, and members must be willing to "surrender" themselves to God (not a particular god, but their personal concept of a higher power), as the ultimate authority over their destiny.

What's for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner?

There is no diet plan or calorie counting. In fact, no diet recommendations are made at all, except for the encouragement to stop compulsive overeating and to develop a personal eating plan based on your own likes, dislikes, and lifestyle. The organization says that "individual plans of eating are as varied as our members." Though every chapter is different, the organization recommends that all members consult a qualified professional for help in creating an individual diet plan.

Fact or Fiction: What the Experts Say

Some experts have reservations about the loosely knit organization and the rule-free atmosphere OA offers. And some argue that while it may make a person feel less guilty about their compulsive eating, it does nothing to address and "fix" the underlying problems. Others, however, say that if it offers much needed support, that alone may make membership in OA worthwhile.

Gains and Losses/What's the Damage?

Because there is no diet plan, there's no way to assess if attending OA meetings will result in weight loss. However, for people who have serious issues with food and a history of compulsive overeating, the group meetings may offer additional support during recovery.

We've covered the best-known support groups for weight-loss. You have the facts to decide if one is right for you.

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This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.