OBJECTIVE: To test the ability of two levels of modest financial incentives to encourage weight loss among overweight employees. METHODS: This study used a randomized design with measurements at baseline, 3, and 6 months and two levels of financial incentives ($7 and $14 per percentage point of weight lost). Payments were structured so that all participants had equal ability to obtain the incentives during the study period. RESULTS: At 3 months, participants with no financial incentive lost 2 pounds, those in the $7 group lost approximately 3 pounds, and those in the $14 group lost 4.7 pounds. Between baseline and 6 months, when the financial gains were equalized, weight losses were similar across groups. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that modest financial incentives can be effective in motivating overweight employees to lose weight.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To test the ability of two levels of modest financial incentives to encourage weight loss among overweight employees. METHODS: This study used a randomized design with measurements at baseline, 3, and 6 months and two levels of financial incentives ($7 and $14 per percentage point of weight lost). Payments were structured so that all participants had equal ability to obtain the incentives during the study period. RESULTS: At 3 months, participants with no financial incentive lost 2 pounds, those in the $7 group lost approximately 3 pounds, and those in the $14 group lost 4.7 pounds. Between baseline and 6 months, when the financial gains were equalized, weight losses were similar across groups. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that modest financial incentives can be effective in motivating overweight employees to lose weight.
Authors: Dariush Mozaffarian; Ashkan Afshin; Neal L Benowitz; Vera Bittner; Stephen R Daniels; Harold A Franch; David R Jacobs; William E Kraus; Penny M Kris-Etherton; Debra A Krummel; Barry M Popkin; Laurie P Whitsel; Neil A Zakai Journal: Circulation Date: 2012-08-20 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: Jeffrey T Kullgren; Andrea B Troxel; George Loewenstein; David A Asch; Laurie A Norton; Lisa Wesby; Yuanyuan Tao; Jingsan Zhu; Kevin G Volpp Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 2013-04-02 Impact factor: 25.391
Authors: Heather Schacht Reisinger; Rachel Horner Brackett; Colin D Buzza; Monica B Williams Páez; Ryan Gourley; Mark W Vander Weg; Alan J Christensen; Peter J Kaboli Journal: Health Serv Res Date: 2011-06-20 Impact factor: 3.402