According to an article reported by the
Associated Press, many people will lose weight for money, even a
little money, suggests a study that offers
another option for employers looking for
ways to cut health care costs.
Research found that cash incentives can be a
success even when the payout is as little as
$7 for losing just a few pounds in three
months.
A recent study by RTI International in North
Carolina involved about 200 overweight
employees at several colleges in that area, divided into three groups. One
group received no incentives; the other two
groups received $7 or $14 for each
percentage point of weight lost.
For example, someone in the middle group
weighing 200 pounds who lost 10 pounds, or
5%, would get $35.
The participants didn't get any help on how to
lose the weight. In the end, employees who
received the most incentives lost the most
weight, an average of nearly 5 pounds after
three months. Those offered no incentives
lost 2 pounds, those in the $7 group lost
about 3 pounds.
However, those in the $14 group were more than five
times as likely to lose 5% of their
weight (the amount research has shown to be
clinically significant), according to the
study.
It's clear that one of the biggest
challenges is to help people who lose weight
to keep the weight off.
A female factory worker said the
financial incentives offered by her employer
have helped her lose a total of 50 pounds
and keep it off. "The money is great and the
day off is great", said the 51 year old."
This year, she lost 25 pounds and got $125
when her employee team reached its weight
loss goal. She used the money for some new
outdoor furniture. Being part of a group
also keeps her motivated she says.
There are some federal guidelines on
offering cash incentives, but the idea is
relatively new and will likely require
further study before many employers are
willing to try such a program, said Jeffery Dobro, a physician and consultant with the
human resources consulting firm Towers
Perrin. To date, many large companies have
offered financial incentives for employees
to complete a health assessment or attend
coaching sessions for weight management.
The study will be welcomed by employers who
realize participation in other health
programs remain low, or that they are paying
for people to lose the same 10 pounds over
and over again.