Behavior modification…nutrition education…haven’t we heard repeatedly that using these tools almost guarantees success when the goal is weight loss? It’s so obvious that once Healthy Eating Adventure participants learn about the amazing health benefits of a plant-based diet, the majority of them begin to take steps to “modify their behavior”. They add lots of fruits and vegetables to their daily menu, change the way they cook and eat, and are delighted with the feedback they receive from their bathroom scales. They enthusiastically embrace this healthy eating style and are off to the races.
However, according to my (very unscientific) observation, it seems possible that about 10% of any group of overweight individuals may have an addictive relationship with food…which makes weight loss a particularly challenging goal. Nutrition education alone simply doesn’t touch their addiction. These folks may have gained a head full of knowledge, but still battle a belly full of food.
Luckily, for people who suffer the pain of any addiction, there is almost always a 12 step program to help them address the problem. It turns out that Overeaters Anonymous has provided 15 yes/no questions to help folks determine if they are compulsive eaters.
- Do you eat when you’re not hungry?
- Do you go on eating binges for no apparent reason?
- Do you have feelings of guilt and remorse after overeating?
- Do you give too much time and thought to food?
- Do you look forward with pleasure and anticipation to the time when you can eat alone?
- Do you plan these secret binges ahead of time?
- Do you eat sensibly before others and make up for it alone?
- Is your weight affecting the way you live your life?
- Have you tried to diet for a week (or longer), only to fall short of your goal?
- Do you resent others telling you to “use a little willpower” to stop overeating?
- Despite evidence to the contrary, have you continued to assert that you can “diet on your own” whenever you wish?
- Do you crave to eat at a definite time, day or night, other than mealtime?
- Do you eat to escape from worries or trouble?
- Have you ever been treated for obesity or a food-related condition?
- Does your eating behavior make you or others unhappy?
If you have answered “yes” to several of these questions and would like to check out a local Overeaters Anonymous meeting, call 928-782-1305 or 928-782-2808. Overeaters Anonymous has a Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. meeting in Yuma and also a Thursday noon meeting. Both meetings are held at the Central Church of Christ, 651 W. 28th Street (but the meetings do not have a religious affiliation.) Information can also be found at www.oa.org
Healthy Eating Adventure - Yuma, AZ 