What is Overeaters Anonymous?

Wondering if Overeaters Anonymous (OA) might help?
If you are unhappy with your weight or your eating, but not sure what to do about it, check out Overeaters Anonymous.

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Some basic information about OA
1. We welcome everyone struggling with food or trying to determine if they have food issues.
2. We believe compulsive eating is a disease like alcoholism.
3. Our life-changing approach is physical, emotional, and spiritual, and is based on the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
4. There are no weigh-ins, and no dues or fees for members. We are self-supporting through our own contributions.
5. No judgment
6. No religion (we’re a spiritual group)
7. A safe place for everyone (all genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, sizes You can find more on this FAQs page maintained by our national organization. Look under the “New to OA” category.

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Members of OA can relate to the following statements
1. I lost weight with a diet or a period of control only to follow it up with bouts of uncontrolled eating and/or weight gain.
2. I eat when I’m not really hungry, or I don’t eat even when my body needs nourishment.
3. I go on eating binges, sometimes stuffing myself until I feel sick.
4. I eat sensibly in front of other people and then eat binge foods when I am alone.
5. I sometimes feel embarrassed, guilty, or ashamed about my weight or the way I eat.
6. I fantasize about how much better life would be if I were a certain weight.
7. When my emotions are intense—whether positive or negative—I reach for food.
8. I spend too much thinking about food, arguing with myself about whether or not to eat, or what to eat, or planning the next diet or exercise regimen.
If these statements sound familiar, you may be one of us—a compulsive eater. Changing your weight long term involves changing the way you related to your food, your feelings, and your body. OA can help.

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What is an Overeaters Anonymous (OA) meeting like?
First of all: deep breath. We will welcome you. Everyone in OA knows where you’re coming from about food. Meetings may have small variations, but here’s what happens at a typical one.

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You show up, either in person or online
In the South Sound Sound area, two groups meet in person, with most meetings online. In addition to local meetings, OA offers an almost unlimited number of meetings online.

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Meetings involve readings from OA-approved literature
Most meetings are an hour long, with a volunteer leader who follows a format (like a script) that usually includes reading the Overeaters Anonymous Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Other OA literature may also be read, or there may be a speaker. The leader may ask, “Is there anyone here attending their first, second, or third OA meeting?” The point is to welcome newcomers. You can introduce yourself using first name only.

Sharing by members
After the readings or speaker, the meeting is opened for “shares”—talking honestly about our issues and how working the Twelve Step program of OA is helping us recover. Sharing may be timed so that everyone at the meeting can have a chance to share. You are welcome to share, but you don’t have to.
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Then the meeting opens for shares again before closing with a spiritual statement or prayer. After the meeting ends, you can ask questions about how the program works. We encourage you to get names and phone numbers of members so you can ask questions as well as get help and support to stop overeating. A member may offer to call you to follow up and talk further. We encourage you to read the newcomer brochure, “Where do I start? Everything a Newcomer Needs to Know.” If you’re not ready to try a meeting, listen to one of our podcasts, read about someone’s experience, or explore our Working the Program section to find out more.​

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Voluntary contributions, but not for newcomers
​There are no dues for OA. At some point in our meetings, we make announcements and ask for voluntary contributions to support the organization. Newcomers are not asked to contribute. There are no dues or fees for OA membership.