If that sounds more like meetings for those struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction, it should. Founded in 1960, Overeaters Anonymous is a
12-step program patterned exactly on Alcoholics Anonymous.

The steps involve turning one’s will over to an unspecified “higher power.” Unlike commercial programs such as Weight Watchers, OA is not a method to lose weight. It’s a partly therapeutic, partly spiritual practice to be free of a compulsion.

 “If it were just a matter of willpower, there would be many fewer obese people in this country,” declares Mary Margaret Karns, managing director of OA Inc. in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

“There are a lot of people who have a food compulsion and the disease of overeating,” she adds.

The word “addiction” also comes up frequently in OA. In fact, Food Addicts Anonymous is another continent-wide 12-step program.

But since everyone has to eat, does the addiction model apply?

Evidence is mounting that the answer is often yes. A multi-billion dollar diet industry has a failure record of well over 90 per cent. Obesity in North America is routinely described by doctors as an epidemic despite decades of strong public messages on the importance of fitness.

Even psychiatry’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders now states compulsive overeating can be an illness.

Since such a condition could be lifelong, a high proportion of people who attend OA meetings are not obese or even heavy. Many have continued coming years after losing their problem weight. Others were never overweight but were binge eaters or obsessed with food in other ways.

And then, of course, there are those who are dangerously obese and desperate.

“I think many people come to OA almost as the last resort, after doing the diets, taking the shots and the pills,” remarks Karns. “But we would hope that they would come to OA not as the last resort.”

There’s been much to praise in 12-step programs generally. They are offered without fee or profit motive. They provide instant fellowship and support. And since compulsions are deep-seated, the kind of honest personal accounting the programs demand seems sensible.

OA does have some challenges that other 12-step programs do not, however. While recovering alcoholics don’t have to visit a bar three times a day, compulsive overeaters must still sit down to food on a regular basis.

That being true, what is abstinence when it comes to eating?

“Abstinence is self-defined in OA,” responds Karns. “Abstinence is refraining from compulsive overeating. People need to redefine their abstinence over time.”

Defining it in the first place is no doubt a major step for many. For more information on Overeaters Anonymous or to find a meeting near you, go to www.oa.org