The Weigh Forward, Financial Incentives for Maintenance of Weight Loss
The Weigh Forward, Financial Incentives for Maintenance of Weight Loss
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of financial incentives in improving and
 maintaining weight loss.
The study will evaluate the effectiveness of financial incentives in improving maintenance of
 weight loss. The investigators propose a 2-arm randomized controlled trial in which 258
 participants who lose at least 5 kgs in a weight loss program will be randomized to one of
 the following: 1) daily weigh-ins and weekly feedback, 2) daily weigh-ins,weekly feedback,
 and a weekly escalating lottery-based financial incentive.

 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. Upon enrollment, these participants will have an active online
 membership with Weight Watchers. Among these participants, the following will be assessed: 1.
 Assess the effectiveness of escalating lottery rewards, relative to the control group, on
 maintenance of weight loss over the ensuing 6 months (Phase I); 2.The degree to which weight
 loss is maintained in the intervention group relative to usual care during the 6 months
 following the cessation of the interventions (Phase II).

 During Phase I, incentives will be provided to some study participants (escalating lottery
 arm) for the first 6 months and participants 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

 -  Have an online Weight Watchers membership

 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