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What caused my questioning of this was an article on the physical aspect of recovery: “Is Our Program Suffering?” One line read, “OA is about losing and maintaining weight loss.” Nowhere in OA literature does it say that. Dignity of Choice talks about “freedom from the obsession and compulsion to eat” as being at the heart of recovery. It highlights a plan of eating, one of OA’s eight program tools, as an aid to achieving a healthy body weight. It does not claim to be an aid to lose weight.

The article goes on to say that “recovery in OA should be physical weight loss first. If we are not about weight loss first, what is our function? We must stress losing weight first, as in the old days, to begin emotional and spiritual recovery.” I use the plan-of-eating tool to help achieve a healthy body weight, but as someone who is recovering from anorexia, I am currently using this tool to gain weight. I agree with the article’s sentiment that more people come to OA needing to lose weight than to gain weight. However, losing, gaining or maintaining weight is a result of the “freedom from the obsession and compulsion to eat,” not the other way around.

The Third Tradition states, “The only requirement for OA membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively.” It is perhaps my favorite Tradition because it reassures me I have a place in OA as a person with anorexia and bulimia who is recovering from compulsive eating. Since I’m in the minority of OA members, I don’t always feel I fit in or am welcome in the program. Articles and comments that spread an untrue message of OA’s purpose, especially ones found in OA Conference-approved literature, threaten the safety of the program for many people.

I partly agree with the article’s point that physical recovery needs to be stressed more. Something important is often missing if a person has been in program for a while and is not experiencing physical recovery. However, I believe physical recovery in the form of weight loss is perhaps stressed too much in program. I have seen some people focus too much on the weight aspect. We can stress physical recovery more, but in all its forms. For some, this means a change in weight; for others, it means an improvement in vital signs; and for still others, it means myriad ways of no longer harming themselves with food.

I appreciate different points of view and realize not all comments or writings will speak to me in my recovery. However, since Lifeline is Conference-approved literature, I assume when I read it the articles will uphold the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. The article to which I refer contradicts OA’s primary purpose and the Third Tradition.

Interestingly, Lifeline has a disclaimer on its last page that reads in part, “Opinions expressed herein are not to be attributed to Overeaters Anonymous as a whole, nor does publication of any article imply endorsement, either by Overeaters Anonymous or Lifeline.” Really? If this is the case, what integrity does the title of “Conference-approved literature” hold? Why should groups read Lifeline at meetings if they cannot be sure the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions are going to be upheld? Would Lifeline have printed an article that spoke of a particular religion or government affiliation? I hope not.

Individual members are asked to respect and uphold the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Should we not expect the same from our World Service Office and Board of Trustees?

— Anonymous

Editor’s Note: Lifeline is not Conference-approved literature. While the Fellowship has embraced the idea of our magazine in print, the content has always reflected the authors' opinions, which may or may not be shared by others and which are not by act or implication endorsed by Lifeline or Overeaters Anonymous as a whole.

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