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Financial incentive strategies for maintenance of weight loss: results from an internet-based randomized controlled trial.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Yancy, WS; Shaw, PA; Wesby, L; Hilbert, V; Yang, L; Zhu, J; Troxel, A; Huffman, D; Foster, GD; Wojtanowski, AC; Volpp, KG
Published in: Nutr Diabetes
May 25, 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Financial incentives can improve initial weight loss; we examined whether financial incentives can improve weight loss maintenance. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Participants aged 30-80 years who lost at least 5 kg during the first 4-6 months in a nationally available commercial weight loss program were recruited via the internet into a three-arm randomized trial of two types of financial incentives versus active control during months 1-6 (Phase I) followed by passive monitoring during months 7-12 (Phase II). Interventions were daily self-weighing and text messaging feedback alone (control) or combined with a lottery-based incentive or a direct incentive. The primary outcome was weight change 6 months after initial weight loss. Secondary outcomes included weight change 12 months after initial weight loss (6 months after cessation of maintenance intervention), and self-reported physical activity and eating behaviors. RESULTS: Of 191 participants randomized, the mean age was 49.0 (SD = 10.5) years and weight loss prior to randomization was 11.4 (4.7) kg; 92% were women and 89% were White. Mean weight changes during the next 6 months (Phase I) were: lottery -3.0 (5.8) kg; direct -2.8 (5.8) kg; and control -1.4 (5.8) kg (all pairwise comparisons p > 0.1). Weight changes through the end of 12 months post-weight loss (Phase II) were: lottery -1.8 (10.5) kg; direct -0.7 (10.7) kg; and control -0.3 (9.4) kg (all pairwise comparisons p > 0.1). The percentages of participants who maintained their weight loss (defined as gaining ≤1.36 kg) were: lottery 79%, direct 76%, and control 67% at 6 months and lottery 66%, direct 62%, and control 59% at 12 months (all pairwise comparisons p > 0.1). At 6 and 12 months after initial weight loss, changes in self-reported physical activity or eating behaviors did not differ across arms. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the active control of daily texting based on daily home weighing, lottery-based and direct monetary incentives provided no additional benefit for weight loss maintenance.

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Published In

Nutr Diabetes

DOI

EISSN

2044-4052

Publication Date

May 25, 2018

Volume

8

Issue

1

Start / End Page

33

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Reduction Programs
  • Weight Loss
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Motivation
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Internet
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
  • Female
 

Citation

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Yancy, W. S., Shaw, P. A., Wesby, L., Hilbert, V., Yang, L., Zhu, J., … Volpp, K. G. (2018). Financial incentive strategies for maintenance of weight loss: results from an internet-based randomized controlled trial. Nutr Diabetes, 8(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41387-018-0036-y
Yancy, William S., Pamela A. Shaw, Lisa Wesby, Victoria Hilbert, Lin Yang, Jingsan Zhu, Andrea Troxel, et al. “Financial incentive strategies for maintenance of weight loss: results from an internet-based randomized controlled trial.Nutr Diabetes 8, no. 1 (May 25, 2018): 33. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41387-018-0036-y.
Yancy WS, Shaw PA, Wesby L, Hilbert V, Yang L, Zhu J, et al. Financial incentive strategies for maintenance of weight loss: results from an internet-based randomized controlled trial. Nutr Diabetes. 2018 May 25;8(1):33.
Yancy, William S., et al. “Financial incentive strategies for maintenance of weight loss: results from an internet-based randomized controlled trial.Nutr Diabetes, vol. 8, no. 1, May 2018, p. 33. Pubmed, doi:10.1038/s41387-018-0036-y.
Yancy WS, Shaw PA, Wesby L, Hilbert V, Yang L, Zhu J, Troxel A, Huffman D, Foster GD, Wojtanowski AC, Volpp KG. Financial incentive strategies for maintenance of weight loss: results from an internet-based randomized controlled trial. Nutr Diabetes. 2018 May 25;8(1):33.

Published In

Nutr Diabetes

DOI

EISSN

2044-4052

Publication Date

May 25, 2018

Volume

8

Issue

1

Start / End Page

33

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Reduction Programs
  • Weight Loss
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Motivation
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Internet
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
  • Female