Community-based approach to weight loss: the Pawtucket "weigh-in"

The Pawtucket Heart Health Program (PHHP), in its attempt to treat obesity in the community, has delivered many traditional group and self-help weight loss programs. However, in order to reach a sufficient number of people to produce a public health impact in Pawtucket, PHHP devised a monthly city-wide "weigh-in." This program, designed to be delivered by volunteers, allowed individuals to set a weight loss goal and pledge a monetary incentive toward this goal. Self-help materials and the opportunity to join weight loss groups were provided. In the pilot study, 129 (61%) of 213 enrollees completed the 10-week program with a mean weight loss of 8.2 lb (p less than .001). A large decrease in total serum cholesterol was also observed. Nonpersonnel costs, including the total costs of the cholesterol measurement, were $1.30 per pound lost. Moreover, success is also evident by continued availability of the program and the increasing number of new participants "referred" to the weigh-in by members.