About Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous (OA) is a fellowship of men and women from all walks of life who meet in order to help solve a common problem – compulsive eating, which includes obesity, anorexia, and bulimia. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively.

OA is a non-profit international organization with approximately 8,500 meeting groups in over 50 countries throughout the world.

Patterned after the Twelve-Step Alcoholics Anonymous program, the OA recovery program addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual recovery aspects of compulsive overeating.

OA is not a diet club and makes no claims for weight loss. Neither does OA promote any particular diets or plans of eating.  Many members consult with their doctors, professional dietitians, or nutritionists.

By admitting our inability to control our compulsive overeating and abandoning the idea that all one needs to be able to eat normally  is “a little willpower,” it becomes possible to abstain from overeating – one day at a time. OA offers members support in dealing with the physical and emotional symptoms of compulsive overeating.

Overeaters Anonymous has no dues or fees for membership. It is entirely self-supporting through contributions and sale of publications. Most groups “pass the basket” at meetings to cover expenses. OA does not solicit or accept outside contributions.

There is much more to learn about OA. The best way to do this is by meeting with other compulsive eaters at a meeting.