Financial Incentives for Maintenance of Weight Loss
Financial Incentives for Maintenance of Weight Loss
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of financial incentives in improving and
 maintaining weight loss.
Study participants will be obese volunteers recruited from a major community-based weight
 loss program (Weight Watchers), who have lost at least 5kg during the 4-6 months prior to
 enrolling in the study. Among these participants, the following will be assessed: 1. The
 effectiveness of a daily lottery-based financial incentive, relative to the control group, on
 weight loss and weight maintenance; 2. The effectiveness of a direct payment incentive,
 relative to the control group, on maintenance of weight loss; 3. Assess the comparative
 effectiveness of lottery-based and direct payment financial incentives on weight loss and
 maintenance; 4. The degree to which weight loss is maintained in the intervention groups
 relative to usual care during the 6 months following cessation of the intervention will also
 be determined.

 During Phase I, incentives will be provided to some study participants (direct payment and
 lottery arm) for the first 6 months and subjects will be followed for 6 more months to
 examine effects following cessation of incentives.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Adults age 30-80

 -  BMI between 30 and 45 prior to starting Weight Watchers

 -  Have a documented weight loss of at least 5kg in the past 4-6 months before enrolling

 -  Stable health

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Substance abuse

 -  Bulimia nervosa or related behaviors

 -  Pregnancy or breast feeding

 -  Medical contraindications to counseling about diet, physical activity, or weight
 reduction

 -  Unstable mental illness

 -  Screen positive for pathological gambling on the basis of the 10 item DSM-IV criteria
 (excluded if meets 5 or more criteria)

 -  Individuals unable to read consent forms or fill out surveys in English