70% Worry Incentivizing Weight Loss with Cash Can Be Unhealthy

Shedding pounds can be challenging, and researchers are constantly exploring ways to increase success rates. One strategy gaining traction is incentivizing weight loss with cash rewards, with studies indicating greater success among incentivized individuals.

For instance, a recent study called “Game of Stones” found that offering up to £400 in financial incentives alongside motivational text messages with information about lifestyle changes helped men with obesity lose weight.

The study piqued our interest in conducting a survey using our online survey app, Real Research, to see what others have to say about this approach.

Key Findings:

• 7 in 10 people are more likely to join a weight loss program if there’s cash involved.
• Nearly 70% of people agreed with the theory behind the “Game of Stones” study, which psychologists call “loss aversion.”
• Almost 70% worry that cash rewards might make people more focused on the money than actually getting healthy.

Money Talks

The survey found that the majority (67.3%) have heard about the “Game of Stones.” In this study, men who were offered money and sent text messages lost an average of 4.8% of their body weight, those who were sent just texts lost 2.7%, and those who got neither lost just 1.3%.

Given these results, it is not surprising that most of the surveyed respondents (70.36%) believed incentives to be an effective way to promote weight loss.

Additionally, a similar number (69.74%) supported the use of incentives in weight loss programs, and an even larger majority (71.48%) indicated they would be more likely to participate in a weight loss program with cash incentives.

Read Also: 34% Of Respondents Have Not Experienced or Witnessed Skinny Privileged Individuals

The Psychological Aspects of Incentivizing Weight Loss

Prof. Pat Hoddinott, who led the study on incentivizing weight loss,  said, “This [study] is informed by behavioral economic theory.” The “Game of Stones” study employed a technique where the money was withheld and released only upon achieving weight loss goals.

This method taps into the concept of loss aversion, a behavioral principle suggesting people are more motivated by the prospect of losing money than the prospect of gaining money

As per the survey findings, nearly 70% believed the theory to be true.

Will the Weight Stay Off?

However, a cloud hangs over the long-term effectiveness of cash incentives for weight loss. Research indicates that while cash incentives can lead to short-term weight loss, the long-term effects are still uncertain.

Here, while 56.78% expressed optimism that weight loss achieved through incentivized programs can be sustained, 43.22% harbor concerns about weight regain once the financial rewards disappear.

Financial Incentives for Weight Loss – An Unhealthy Obsession

Another point of contention is the potential for cash incentives to overshadow the importance of genuine lifestyle changes. 69.38% agreed with the concern that offering cash incentives for weight loss may create an unhealthy obsession with monetary rewards rather than fostering genuine lifestyle changes for better health.