Are you a Compulsive Overeater? | Overeaters Anonymous Adelaide

Now that you have found Overeaters Anonymous, you may want to make sure our program is right for you. Many of us have found it useful to answer the following questions to help determine if we have a problem with compulsive eating.

Fifteen Questions

Do I eat when I’m not hungry, or not eat when my body needs nourishment?

Yes No
Do I go on eating binges for no apparent reason, sometimes eating until I’m stuffed or even feel sick?

Yes No
Do I have feelings of guilt, shame, or embarrassment about my weight or the way I eat?

Yes No
Do I eat sensibly in front of others and then make up for it when I am alone?

Yes No
Is my eating affecting my health or the way I live my life?

Yes No
When my emotions are intense — whether positive or negative — do I find myself reaching for food?

Yes No
Do my eating behaviors make me or others unhappy?

Yes No
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
Do I fast or severely restrict my food intake to control my weight?

Yes No
Do I fantasize about how much better life would be if I were a different size or weight?

Yes No
Do I need to chew or have something in my mouth all the time: food, gum, mints, candies or beverages?

Yes No
Have I ever eaten food that is burned, frozen or spoiled; from containers in the grocery store; or out of the garbage?

Yes No
Are there certain foods I can’t stop eating after having the first bite?

Yes No
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
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

Have you answered “yes” to several of these questions? If so, it is possible that you have, or are well on your way to having, a compulsive eating or overeating problem.