Financial incentive strategy for weight loss and maintenance of weight loss.

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

Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 103 women with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m. 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.

Results: Mean of BMI was 34.78 ± 4.29 kg/m in baseline, that reduced to 32.41 ± 3.51 kg/m in the sixth phase, and 31.64 ± 3.71 kg/m 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.

Conclusions: 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.