Financial Incentives Work to Motivate Significant Weight Loss

Steven L. Driver, MD, MPH and colleagues conducted a two-by-two factorial study, randomly assigning 100 healthy adult employees or dependents to one of four weight loss groups: education (Live it!: with and without financial incentives); or education combined with a structured behavior modification plan (Lose it!: with and without financial incentives). Data indicate a significant number of patients in the financial incentive groups (62%) maintained participation and lost more weight vs. non-incentive groups (26%). There was a mean weight loss of 9.08 lbs. for the combined incentive groups and 2.34 lbs. for the combined non-incentive groups. They estimated the effect of incentives was 6.5 lbs. If patients met their weight loss goal of 4 lbs. per month, payments of $20 were awarded, whereas those who failed to meet the goal paid a penalty fee of $20. The penalty fee was entered into a larger bonus which was later awarded to patients who completed the study. Abstract #1274M-12. Presented at American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions; March 9-11, 2013; San Francisco.