Researchers are desperate to find a way to motivate our overweight society to lose weight. In the newest study they used a contract related to money and found that it helped participants achieve their goal. This shouldn’t be any surprise. The most famous weight loss show on tv “The Biggest Loser,” offers cash prizes to evoke a more competitive environment.
In this study, all of the participants received weight loss counseling. However, some actually signed a contracts and put up their own money. Over the next 9 months, the people that wagered their own money lost 9 pounds. The people who did not lost an average of one pound.
This research appeared in The Journal of Internal Medicine. The study also found that the weight loss didn’t last, money or not! The incentive was only good for short to mid term goals.
So what about insurance companies offering money incentives for people to lose weight???? Will it work or end up like this study? Would you lose weight to cut your insurance bill? I guess it boils down to inner motivation. What really works to keep people at a healthy weight? Weight loss isn’t the issue in America. Anyone can lose weight. The real issue is staying healthy. Maybe researchers shouldn’t be studying weight loss. Maybe they should be studying weight gain and what helps to keep people thin once they lose the weight.
Adria Ali
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