Systematic review of the use of financial incentives in treatments for obesity and overweight.

Full Abstract

Nine studies met the criteria for inclusion in this systematic review of randomized controlled trials of treatments for obesity and overweight involving the use of financial incentives, with reported follow-up of at least 1 year. All included trials were of behavioural obesity treatments. Justification of sample size and blinding procedure were not mentioned in any study. Attrition was well described in three studies and no study was analysed on an intention to treat basis. Participants were mostly women recruited through media advertisements. Mean age ranged from 35.7 to 52.8 years, and mean body mass index from 29.3 to 31.8 kg m(-2). Results from meta-analysis showed no significant effect of use of financial incentives on weight loss or maintenance at 12 months and 18 months. Further sub-analysis by mode of delivery and amount of incentives although also non-statistically significant were suggestive of very weak trends in favour of use of amounts greater than 1.2% personal disposable income, rewards for behaviour change rather than for weight, rewards based on group performance rather than for individual performance and rewards delivered by non-psychologists rather than delivered by psychologists.

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Author information

Author/s: Paul-Ebhohimhen, V (V); Avenell, A (A);

Affiliation: University of Aberdeen, Health Services Research Unit, Aberdeen, UK. v.a.paul-ebhohimhen@abdn.ac.uk <v.a.paul-ebhohimhen@abdn.ac.uk>

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity (Obes Rev), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jul; vol 9 (issue 4) : pp 355-67

Dates: Created 2008/06/18; Completed 2008/08/01;

PMID: 17956546, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Motivation

Motivation
Obesity - economics; psychology
Overweight - economics; psychology
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Treatment Outcome
Weight Loss

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