Rebecca Manzi A unique approach to combat obesity: offering economic incentives to lose weight. A study tested whether this could be a solution
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A groundbreaking study conducted by the University of Stirling in Scotland has examined an unconventional method to combat obesity: offering financial incentives for weight loss. This research, humorously named “Game of Stones“, was tailored specifically for men, aiming to address their reluctance to participate in weight loss support groups.
Obesity is an increasingly prevalent issue, affecting over a billion people globally and posing serious public health risks, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic disorders. Therefore, tackling obesity is a critical challenge to enhance public health and reduce associated healthcare costs.
In the study, researchers recruited 585 obese men from England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Participants were given specific weight loss targets: to lose 5% of their body weight in the first three months, 10% within six months, and maintain an overall loss of 22 pounds after a year.
Economic incentives yield significant weight loss
The participants were divided into three groups, each with different motivational methods. The first group received daily support messages, the second group received both support messages and a promise of a £400 reward if they met the set goals. The third group, the control group, received neither messages nor financial incentives.
The results of the study were clear. The group that received financial incentives saw the most significant weight loss, with an average of 5% of their body weight. The group that received only support messages lost an average of 3% of their weight, while the control group saw an average loss of just 1%.
These findings suggest that offering financial incentives could be an effective method to promote weight loss and improve public health. If implemented on a large scale, this approach could represent a relatively contained expense for national health systems, with potential long-term savings due to reduced obesity-related complications. The initiative demonstrates how innovative and personalized strategies can have a significant impact on public health, providing new tools in the fight against obesity.
Source: University of Stirling
