Search Here

According to a new study done by researchers at the Mayo Clinic, money incentives can assist people to lose weight and even keep it off. The study was led by author Steven Driver, M.D., an internal medicine resident at Mayo Clinic.

The study investigated 100 overweight employees at the Mayo Clinic. People involved in the study were given an opportunity to gain or lose $20 each month if they met the diet objective.

"People saw that if they stuck with it, they had a chance at winning more than they had lost," Driver said.

All participants were given a goal of losing 4 pounds per month up to a predetermined goal weight.

The participants who got offered the chance to win money lost 9 pounds on average whereas participants who were not offered the chance to win money merely lost 2 pounds.

Each participant was between the ages of 18 and 63 and had a body mass index between 30 to 39.9.

"The take-home message is that sustained weight loss can be achieved by financial incentives," Dr. Driver said.

"The financial incentives can improve results, and improve compliance and adherence," he added.

Also study co-head Donald Hensrud also released a statement adding:

"Traditional therapies are not working for a lot of people, so people are looking for creative ways to help people lose weight and keep it off. The results of this study show the potential of financial incentives."

The study is to be addressed in this weekend, March 9, at a medical conference in San Francisco.