Newcomers - Seattle Overeaters Anonymous

What if I’m not sure if I need OA?

Answering these questions may help. If you answer “Yes” to several of these questions you may be a compulsive eater.

1. Do I eat when I’m not hungry, or not eat when my body needs nourishment?	Yes	No
2. Do I go on eating binges for no apparent reason, sometimes eating until I’m stuffed or even feel sick?	Yes	No
3. Do I have feelings of guilt, shame, or embarrassment about my weight or the way I eat?	Yes	No
4. Do I eat sensibly in front of others and then make up for it when I am alone?	Yes	No
5. Is my eating affecting my health or the way I live my life?	Yes	No
6. When my emotions are intense—whether positive or negative—do I find myself reaching for food?	Yes	No
7. Do my eating behaviors make me or others unhappy?	Yes	No
8. Have I ever used laxatives, vomiting, diuretics, excessive exercise, diet pills, shots, or other medical interventions (including surgery) to try to control my weight?	Yes	No
9. Do I fast or severely restrict my food intake to control my weight?	Yes	No
10. Do I fantasize about how much better life would be if I were a different size or weight?	Yes	No
11. Do I need to chew or have something in my mouth all the time: food, gum, mints, candies, or beverages?	Yes	No
12. Have I ever eaten food that is burned, frozen, or spoiled; from containers in the grocery store; or out of the garbage?	Yes	No
13. Are there certain foods I can’t stop eating after having the first bite?	Yes	No
14. Have I lost weight with a diet or “period of control” only to be followed by bouts of uncontrolled eating and/or weight gain?	Yes	No
15. Do I spend too much time thinking about food, arguing with myself about whether or what to eat, planning the next diet or exercise cure, or counting calories?	Yes	No