Financial incentive strategy for weight loss and maintenance of weight loss

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of financial incentives on weight loss, maintain in obese women and biochemical factors.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 103 women with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m². The participants were assessed over a 12-month follow-up in eight phases. Money payment for losing weight was incentive intervention in this study. The participants were given diet and physical activity.

Mean of BMI was 34.78 ± 4.29 kg/m² in baseline, that reduced to 32.41 ± 3.51 kg/m² in the sixth phase, and 31.64 ± 3.71 kg/m² in the final phase (P < 0.001). At baseline, mean of percentage of body fat (PBF) was 40.77 ± 2.81 that reduced to 37.34±4.02 at the end of the study (P < 0.001). Waist to hip ratio (WHR) and lean body mass (LBM) decreased significantly over the 12-month (P < 0.001). At the end of each phase, the mean of BMI reduction of 0.39 units was observed in the subjects, and 9 units of change were achieved by the end of the study compared to the baseline. The mean of triglyceride in the first, fourth and seventh phases were 128.57 ± 13.33, 101.43 ± 57.99 and 87.40 ± 57.59 mg/dl, respectively (P = 0.003). The mean of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) decreased significantly over the 12-month, P = 0.052 and P = 0.005, respectively.

Financial incentives can effectively help to weight loss and maintenance of weight, and improve lipid profiles; blood sugar and liver enzymes. The use of motivational factors with proper training (diet and physical activity) will have a better result.