Healthcare Professionals

Thank you for visiting the website of  Overeaters Anonymous (OA) in Great Britain.

The first OA meeting was held in 1960 in Los Angeles, California. Since that time it has grown to approximately 6,500 meetings in over 75 countries. The OA programme offers physical, emotional and spiritual recovery for those who suffer from compulsive overeating. Members find recovery on all three levels by following a Twelve-Step programme patterned after that of Alcoholics Anonymous. Members who recover through the Twelve Steps find that yo-yo dieting is a thing of the past. They no longer wish to return to compulsive overeating.

OA is not affiliated with any public or private organisation, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine and takes no position on outside issues. In OA, you’ll find members who are extremely overweight, even morbidly obese; moderately overweight; average weight; underweight; still maintaining periodic control over their eating behaviour; or totally unable to control their compulsive eating. The only requirement for membership in OA is a desire to stop eating compulsively.

No membership dues or fees are required for participation in OA. The organisation is self-supporting through members’ voluntary contributions and the sale of OA literature.

View our Youtube video ‘Overview of Overeaters Anonymous for Healthcare Professionals – CPD for Obesity & Eating Disorders‘ designed especially for Healthcare Professionals, made by our Professional Outreach (PO) Committee.

To hear OA members talking about their recovery, visit our Audio Shares page.

How can OA help your patients or clients?

Evidence base for Overeaters Anonymous

Resources for Patients and Clients

Referrals

Anyone who has a problem with food can attend any OA meeting. There is no referral process and newcomers do not need to register. If you are a medical professional or working with people with eating disorders, we believe we can help. OA believes compulsive overeating is an addiction, which, like alcoholism and drug abuse, can be arrested. OA does not concern itself with the medical aspects of obesity; our approach complements professional care as our spiritual programme addresses the compulsive nature of overeating.

Costs

We do not charge dues or fees; members make contributions at each meeting to pay for the room rent and other associated costs. The current suggested contribution is £3.50 but do not let lack of funds deter patients from attending a meeting, as the contribution is up to each individual.

Literature

If you wish to order OA leaflets, containing details about our Fellowship and the programme of recovery for your surgery or clinic, please click here.

The Courier is a US published newsletter with articles by healthcare professionals about OA. Please click here to view the current issue.

Further information

If you would like more information, or would like some OA members to come and talk to your department, please email us on public.information@oagb.org.uk

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