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Overeaters Anonymous: A Supportive Community for Seniors Recovering from Compulsive Overeating
Overeaters Anonymous (OA) is an international, nonprofit organisation that offers a structured fellowship-based recovery process for individuals dealing with compulsive overeating. The program, which is adapted from the 12-step programs of Alcoholics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous, provides a supportive community for seniors to combat isolation and maintain healthy eating habits.
The 12-step program of OA is designed to address compulsive overeating by fostering spiritual, emotional, and behavioural change. Seniors are encouraged to admit powerlessness over food, seek help from a higher power, take a personal inventory, make amends, and maintain ongoing spiritual and personal growth. This approach helps seniors manage compulsive overeating through accountability, emotional insight, and practical strategies such as prayer, meditation, and making amends.
Key aspects of the 12-step program for seniors include:
- Admitting powerlessness over compulsive eating to initiate change.
- Belief in a higher power to restore sanity and strength.
- Self-examination through moral inventory to identify triggers and character defects.
- Sharing problems and seeking help in a trusting environment.
- Making amends and continual self-assessment to reduce guilt and promote healing.
- Praying and meditating to sustain recovery and spiritual growth.
- Providing mutual support through meetings, fostering connection and encouragement.
Overeaters Anonymous is self-supported through contributions and the sale of publications, including an international monthly magazine called Lifeline. The organization has about 6,500 groups meeting in more than 65 countries around the world. Individual plans of eating are varied among members, and the organization recommends consulting a qualified professional for help in creating an individual diet plan.
Attending meetings, stopping compulsive overeating, and staying in contact with your sponsor are encouraged in Overeaters Anonymous. Continuing to compulsively overeat and failing to attend meetings are not recommended. The spiritual component in the group requires members to be willing to "surrender" themselves to a higher power as the ultimate authority over their destiny.
Overeaters Anonymous is not for those looking to lose a few pounds or those who have gained weight gradually; it is for people with serious food intake problems and emotional baggage. The program is particularly popular among middle-aged women who have struggled with compulsive overeating since their teens.
Overeaters Anonymous operates through a network of volunteers and offers a support system for people with uncontrollable food intake. There is no specific diet plan, calorie counting, or membership dues in the organization. For detailed guidance or more tailored resources for seniors in OA, resources provided by OA or senior community centers specializing in eating disorder recovery may be beneficial.
- Overeaters Anonymous (OA) offers a 12-step program for individuals seeking recovery from compulsive overeating, inspired by Alcoholics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous.
- The 12-step program encourages seniors to admit powerlessness over food, seek help from a higher power, take a personal inventory, make amends, and maintain ongoing spiritual and personal growth for healthy living.
- The program's key aspects include admitting powerlessness, belief in a higher power, self-examination, sharing problems, making amends, prayer, meditation, and mutual support through meetings.
- OA recommends consulting a professional for help in creating an individual diet plan, as the program is popular among middle-aged women who have struggled with compulsive overeating since their teens.
- The organization provides a supportive network for people with uncontrollable food intake issues, running over 6,500 meetings in more than 65 countries and publishing resources such as Lifeline magazine.
- Cbd, general news, sports, history, therapies and treatments, mental health, fitness and exercise, women's health, and nutrition may not directly relate to Overeaters Anonymous, but consulting professionals in these areas can provide additional support for overall health and wellness.
- OA operates on self-support through contributions and provides a confidential, nonjudgmental environment for individuals seeking recovery from compulsive overeating.