Overweight

Self Help Clearinghouse

International. 10,000 chapters. Founded 1948. Members use professionally prepared materials on menu planning, food exchanges, motivation and exercise. Promotes a sensible approach to managing weight as a life choice. Weekly meetings emphasize recognition and support. Newsletter, tools for weight management and chapter development. New chapters may be started by a minimum of four people. Support group locations available online. Dues $24/USA; $30/Canada.
Write:
T.O.P.S.
4575 S. 5th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53207
Voice: 1-800-932-8677
Website: http://www.tops.org
Verified: 04/26/2007

International. 6,500 groups. Founded 1960. A 12-step fellowship of men and women who meet to help one another understand and overcome compulsive eating. Also groups and literature for young persons and teens. Monthly magazine, literature and group development guidelines.
Write:
Overeaters Anonymous
P.O. Box 44020
Rio Rancho, NM 87174-4020
Voice: 505-891-2664 or look in white pages for local number
Fax: 505-891-4320
Website: http://www.oa.org
E-mail: info@oa.org
Verified: 10/11/2007

National. 50 chapters. Founded 1969. Fights size discrimination and provides fat people with the tools for self-empowerment. Provides public education regarding obesity. Provides a forum for peer support and activism. Dues $35 (includes newsletter), educational materials, group development guidelines and annual convention. Special interest groups include: youth, families, gays, diabetics, men, women, sleep apnea, military, mental health professionals and couples.
Write:
NAAFA
P.O. Box 22510
Oakland, CA 94609
Voice: 916-558-6880
Website: http://www.naafa.org
Verified: 11/05/2007

International. 146 affiliated groups worldwide. Founded 1987. 12-step fellowship of men and women who are willing to recover from the disease of food addiction. Primary purpose is to maintain abstinence from sugar, flour and wheat. Pen pals, online contacts, conferences, information and referral. Assistance in starting groups. Online listing of local support groups.
Write:
Food Addicts Anonymous
4623 Forest Hill Blvd. Suite 109-4
W. Palm Beach, FL 33415
Voice: 561-967-3871
Fax: 561-967-9815
Website: http://www.foodaddictsanonymous.org
E-mail: info@foodaddictsanonymous.org
Verified: 04/30/2007

International. 700 affiliated groups. Founded 1985. 12-Step. Christ-centered support group for persons with any compulsive behavior, as well as their families and friends. Uses 12-steps of A.A. and applies them to the Scriptures. Uses Jesus Christ as 'higher power.' Supplements involvement in other 12-step groups. Newsletter, group development guidelines and conferences.
Write:
Overcomers Outreach, Inc.
P.O.Box 2204
Oakhurst, CA 93644
Voice: 1-800-310-3001
Website: http://www.overcomersoutreach.org
E-mail: info@overcomersoutreach.org
Verified: 04/25/2007

International. 500 affiliated groups. Founded 1985. 12-step fellowship to share experience, strength and hope in order to help themselves and others who suffer from the self destruction of compulsive eating. H.O.W. (Honesty, Open-mindedness and Willingness) groups use a food plan which includes an abstinence of sugar and flour. Plan allows only three weighed and measured meals per day.
Write:
Compulsive Eaters Anonymous-H.O.W.
5500 E. Atherton St., Suite 227-B
Long Beach, CA 90815-4017
Voice: 562-342-9344 (Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm)
Fax: 562-342-9346
Website: http://www.ceahow.org
E-mail: gso@ceahow.org
Verified: 11/13/2007

National. 6 affiliated chapters. 12-Step. Recovery program for men and women recovering from all forms of eating and body image addictions. Includes anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, overeating, exercise bulimics, etc. Focuses on internal growth and reclaiming bodies rather than weight or appearance.
Write:
Eating Addictions Anonymous
P.O. Box 8151
Silver Spring, MD 20907-8151
Voice: 202-882-6528
Website: http://www.eatingaddictionsanonymous.org
E-mail: 12n12@tidalwave.net
Verified: 11/13/2007

International. Founded 2000. Fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover from their eating disorders. Focuses on the solution; not the problem. Eating Disorders Anonymous endorses sound nutrition. Pen pals, phone support, literature, information and referrals. Assistance in starting groups. Offers local support group referrals online.
Write:
EDA General Service Board
18233 N. 16th Way
Phoenix, AZ 85022
Website: http://www.4EDA.org
E-mail: info@EatingDisordersAnonymous.org
Verified: 11/10/2007

International. Founded 1998. A 12-step fellowship addressing all forms of food addiction, e.g. undereating, overeating and bulimia through purging and/or exercise. FA members are all ages and walks of life. Literature, phone support, assistance in starting new groups and on-line listing of meetings.
Write:
Food Addicts Anonymous
6 Pleasant St. Room 402
Malden, MA 02148
Voice: 781-321-9118
Fax: 781-321-9223
Website: http://www.foodaddicts.org
E-mail: fa@foodaddicts.org
Verified: 05/01/2007

Online. Support for those who expect to have, or have had, gastric bypass surgery. Family and friends are included. Offers an e-mail discussion group.
Website: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Gastric_Bypass_Family/
Verified: 04/27/2007

International. Founded 1979. Network of recovering alcoholic women in religious orders. Helps Roman Catholic women who are, or have been, members of religious orders and are alcoholic or chemically dependent, compulsive eaters, compulsive gamblers, etc. Information, referrals, assistance in meeting other members, phone support, conferences and e-newsletters.
Write:
ICAP
7777 Lake St., Suite 115
River Forest, IL 60305-1734
Voice: 708-488-9770
Fax: 708-488-9774
Website: http://www.2icap.org
E-mail: icapsrs@sbcglobal.net
Verified: 04/26/2007

International. Founded 1987. Recovery program that deals with every aspect of addiction and dysfunction (spiritual, physical, mental, emotional and social). Uses Overcomers Goals which are Christ-centered. Resources, literature, information and referrals. Assistance in starting new groups.
Write:
Overcomers In Christ
P.O. Box 34460
Omaha, NE 68134-0460
Voice: 402-573-0966
Fax: 402-573-0960
Website: http://www.OvercomersInChrist.org
E-mail: OIC@OvercomersInChrist.org
Verified: 05/02/2007

International. 50 chapters. Spiritual recovery group for anyone seeking a solution for any kind of addiction, problem or behavior. Family and friends welcome. 'How To Begin...' guides and 'Start A Group' kit can be downloaded free from the website.
Write:
Recoveries Anonymous
P.O. Box 1212
East Northport, NY 11731
Website: http://www.r-a.org
E-mail: raus@r-a.org
Verified: 09/28/2007