According to a study, when overweight people are paid to lose weight, the rate of fat loss doubles.
Researchers instructed 668 morbidly obese adults in New York and Los Angeles to lose 10 pounds (or 4.5 kg) over six months.
Within six months, up to half of those who received financial incentives met this goal, compared to 22 percent of study participants who did not receive financial incentives.
DR Melanie Jay, a physician at NYU Langone, said her study provides “solid evidence” that cash incentives could help solve America’s bulging waistlines.
It is estimated that four out of ten American adults are obese. Maps from last week showed that West Virginia, Arkansas and Kentucky are the most obese states in America.
The study showed that participants in the cash incentive groups lost their goal of 10 pounds (4.5 kg) within six months, but those in the other group only achieved half of their goal.
This chart shows weight loss in kilograms per month during the study. It shows that the group received no monetary incentives (black line), monetary incentives associated with adherence to behavioral changes (orange), and monetary incentives associated with overall weight loss (blue).
In the study, published today in JAMA Internal Medicine, scientists recruited 668 people between November 2017 and May 2021.
At the start of the study, the participants weighed an average of 218 pounds (lbs) (98.8 kg) and had a BMI of nearly 38—putting them in the morbidly obese range.
They all came from low-income households with an annual income of less than $40,000, with more than eight in 10 women between the ages of 18 and 70. The majority were of Hispanic background.
They were divided into three groups, each tasked with losing about five percent of their body weight – or 10 pounds (4.5 kg) – over six months.
All participants attended a weekly local weight management program meeting and received an annual membership to the commercial WW Freestyle weight loss program.
They also received a digital scale, a food diary and a FitBit tracking device to track their progress.
All participants were recommended to attend at least two WW freestyle classes per month, weigh themselves three times per week, keep a food journal five days per week and exercise 75 minutes per week.
For months four to six, the activity goal was increased to 150 minutes per week.
Researchers verified this by reviewing surveys, FitBit data and attendance records.
One group was offered no financial incentives to participate in the program.
But two other groups were offered financial incentives that allowed them to earn up to $750 during the study period.
In one group – called the results-based group – participants were offered money based on how often they attended classes, exercised and kept the food diary.
Each received $150 for signing up and half off their weight management classes in their first month.
They were also paid $60 per month for attending at least half of the weekly program sessions during months two through six, $30 per month for using the food diary five days per week, and being weighed three times per week, and Offered $20 per month. for filling in the food diary. physical activity goals.
In the other group—dubbed the “targeted” group—participants’ cash incentives were tied to how much weight they lost.
In the first month, they were offered $50 if they lost 1.5 to 2.5 percent of their weight, or $100 if they lost more than 2.5 percent.
In months two to three, they were paid $50 a month if they lost 2.5 to 5 percent of their weight, or $100 a month if they lost more than 5 percent.
And in months four through six, they got $100 a month for a 2.5 to 5 percent weight loss, or $150 a month for more than 5 percent weight loss.
All weight loss percentages were compared to the weight at the start of the program.
Once the goals were achieved, money was paid to participants to ensure that rewards were associated with them.
The results showed that those who received money lost twice as much weight on average as those who did not receive financial incentives.
Those in the target group earned $440 during the study period, while those in the outcome group lost $303.
Individuals in the results-oriented group lost the most after six months, an average of 4.8 kg.
But the targeted group lost nearly as much weight, an average of 10 pounds.
Those in the unstimulated group lost 4.9 pounds (2.2 kg) during the study period.
Dr. Jay said, “Our study provides strong evidence that offering incentives, especially financial rewards, even for as little as six months, helps resource-constrained people struggling with obesity lose weight.
“However, any form of weight-loss incentive can work, even if it’s just providing the tools to help.”
The participants were also followed up for an additional six months to determine whether the weight loss was sustained.
Of the money groups, only the targeted team continued to lose weight, shaving an additional 2 pounds (0.9 kg).
The results-oriented group maintained their weight loss, and those who did not receive a monetary reward lost an additional 0.5 kg.
About 61 participants broke or stopped attending appointments within the first six months for the targeted group, compared with 51 in the incentive group and 54 in the no-cash incentive group.
Dr. Jay said: “Beyond encouragement and education, new tools are needed to help some people struggling with obesity.”
“There is no one-size-fits-all solution to America’s increasing weight problem. Our national approach must include multiple approaches, including incentives tailored to the diverse needs of groups most affected by obesity-related diseases and conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
