Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experiences, strength, and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. The organization welcomes anyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. The primary purpose of Overeaters Anonymous is to abstain from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors and to carry the message of recovery through the Twelve Steps of OA to those who are still suffering. 

www.oa.org

Food/Eating

Theistic (non-specific)

The idea for Overeaters Anonymous (OA) came to founder Rozanne S. during a Gamblers Anonymous (GA) meeting she attended in 1958 with a friend struggling with compulsive gambling. As GA members shared their stories, Rozanne recognized her own story—not of gambling, but of compulsive overeating. She realized that the twelve steps and twelve traditions program established by Alcoholics Anonymous and adapted by GA could offer her a path to change her life and reduce her 152-pound body to a size more suitable for her 5’ 2” frame. However, it wasn’t until 1960, when her weight had increased to 161 pounds, that she found others who shared her convictions. A chance encounter with a new neighbor, Jo S., provided Rozanne with the strength in numbers she needed, even if it was just one other person joining her. Together, they found another compulsive overeater, Bernice S., and they held their first OA meeting in Los Angeles, California, on January 19, 1960.

In Overeaters Anonymous, members come from all walks of life and exhibit a wide range of eating behaviors. Some are extremely overweight or morbidly obese, while others may be moderately overweight, of average weight, or underweight. Some members still manage to exert periodic control over their eating behaviors, while others are completely unable to control their compulsive eating. The patterns of food behaviors among OA members are as diverse as the membership itself.

Today, approximately 6,500 Overeaters Anonymous groups meet weekly in over 75 countries. With around 60,000 members worldwide, OA provides support and helps thousands of compulsive eaters find new life in recovery.

Overeaters Anonymous by Overeaters Anonymous, also known as “The Brown Book”   

OA uses the same twelve steps as Alcoholics Anonymous

Defined as refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors. Individual plans of eating vary, and members are encouraged to find what works best for them.

OA protects the anonymity of members to foster a safe and supportive environment

In-person: https://oa.org/find-a-meeting/?type=0

Online: https://oa.org/find-a-meeting/?type=1