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1 THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT FOR INDIVIDUALS BATTLING FOOD ADDICTIONS Overeaters Anonymous 12-Step Program Offers Hope and a Community for Support Date: Contact: ( City/State ) - The holiday season brings excitement, nostalgic traditions and a plethora of social activities that tend to revolve around food consumption. For those who battle compulsive eating, the added stress of the holidays and abundance of food can trigger overeating. This often leads to embarrassment, guilt, depression and unwanted pounds. For individuals struggling with various food addictions, especially during the holidays, Overeaters Anonymous (OA) can provide much-needed support and a path to recovery. OA offers a 12-step program that addresses emotional, physical and spiritual well-being as a path to recovery. OA honors its members anonymity within its organization and in the media. OA s members are given the tools to seek and find recovery from compulsive eating behaviors. **When planning your holiday editions and the articles about food, addiction, health and exercise, please consider incorporating the OA program.** Local OA members are available to discuss their personal stories of recovery and can provide a national or local perspective, depending on your story needs. at or at.

2 OBESITY AWARENESS SHEDS LIGHT ON BATTLING FOOD ADDICTION Overeaters Anonymous 12-Step Program Offers Hope and a Community for Support For Immediate Release Contact: ( City/State ) Compulsive eating is an affliction that defies nationality and ethnicity, and can be very alienating. Upcoming international obesity awareness events are the first step towards social education and providing lasting solutions for those individuals suffering from compulsive eating. Overeaters Anonymous (OA) can help. OA follows a 12-step program that addresses emotional, physical and spiritual well-being as a path to recovery. OA s members are given the tools and encouragement to seek and find recovery from compulsive eating behaviors. OA honors its members anonymity within its organization and in the media. **When planning your ongoing editorials and articles about food, addiction, health and exercise, please consider incorporating the OA program.** OA members are available to discuss their personal stories of recovery and can provide a national or local perspective, depending on your story needs. Individual stories of recovery are available via podcasts on the new website and through itunes. at or at.

3 SUMMER TRAVEL BRINGS BOTH EXCITEMENT AND ANXIETY FOR THOSE BATTLING FOOD ADDICTIONS Overeaters Anonymous Helps Individuals Combat Compulsive Eating For Immediate Release Date: Contact: ( City/State ) Summer is a time for sun, fun and travel. It can also be a stressful time for those battling compulsive eating, as travel interrupts daily routines and can mean more opportunities for unhealthy eating behaviors and choices. Overeaters Anonymous (OA) can help. OA can provide much-needed support and resources to help people find new lives in recovery. OA offers a 12-step program that addresses emotional, physical and spiritual well-being as a path to recovery. The program applies a set of principles that, when followed, promote inner change that curbs the individual s compulsion to eat excess food or relate to food in unhealthy ways. OA provides a number of outlets for members to share their stories, get advice and create their own support network. OA members have an individualized plan of eating that meets their physical and lifestyle needs. A plan of eating helps them determine what, when, where and even how they eat. This is especially useful during summer travel. Members can use their eating plans to help guide them in making food-related choices. They can also attend a number of available meetings across the country and in other countries to help them stay on track while on vacation. **When planning your ongoing editorials and articles about travel and food, addiction, health and exercise, please consider incorporating the OA program.** OA members are available to discuss their personal stories of recovery and can provide a national or local perspective, depending on your story needs. Individual stories of recovery are available via podcasts on the new website ( and through itunes. at or .

4 OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS 12-STEP PROGRAM OFFERS HOPE AND A COMMUNITY FOR SUPPORT OA Members Worldwide Observe Special Day November to Celebrate Abstinence from Compulsive Eating Contact: ( City/State ) The season for overeating is upon us. With so much emphasis on food as the holidays arrive, people who suffer from compulsive eating find themselves faced with temptations everywhere. For individuals struggling with various food addictions, especially during the holidays, Overeaters Anonymous (OA) can provide much-needed support. OA offers a 12-step program, patterned after that of Alcoholics Anonymous, that addresses emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing as a path to recovery. OA members are given the tools to seek and find recovery from compulsive eating behaviors. Since 1992, on the third Saturday of November, members of OA worldwide observe an International Day of Experiencing Abstinence (IDEA). The OA Fellowship created IDEA Day to encourage members and newcomers to abstain from compulsive eating. This year IDEA Day is celebrated on November. OA does not charge dues or fees for membership; the Fellowship is self-supporting through member contributions and literature sales. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine. OA honors its members anonymity within its organization and in the media.

5 OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS OFFERS SUPPORT, HOPE AND STRENGTH IN NUMBERS 12-Step Program Helps to Provide Recovery from Compulsive Eating Contact: ( City/State ) Fear, loneliness, hopelessness, and embarrassment are some of the many feelings experienced by people suffering from compulsive eating. These feelings can be hard or almost impossible to overcome alone, but Overeaters Anonymous (OA), a 12-step program, helps members throughout the world deal with these issues. Members of OA range from the morbidly obese to the anorexic. These individuals experience many different symptoms, and have various difficulties with food. But what they have in common is the admission that they were powerless over food and their lives had become unmanageable as a result. OA members work together to recover from compulsive eating. Participants work through the 12- step program with a sponsor. Weekly meetings offer group support and welcome anyone who might be in need of help. OA also offers podcasts, a magazine, online and phone meetings, literature, and sponsors to keep members on track with their program. OA members maintain anonymity, which enables the group to offer unconditional acceptance and support for all. The organization is completely self-supporting through member donations and literature sales, and does not charge membership fees or dues. Although OA offers many types of support, it is not a source for diet tips, counseling, hospitalization, treatment, research or training. OA s primary goal is to help members abstain from compulsive eating, and to carry the message of recovery to those who still suffer. at or .