Adherence
Financial incentives in behavioral obesity treatments do not produce a statistically significant effect on weight loss or maintenance at 12 and 18 months compared to treatments without incentives.
Relying on financial rewards to lose weight is not supported by evidence for long-term success. While some studies showed weak trends for higher incentive amounts or behavior-based rewards, the overall effect on weight loss is negligible. Focus on sustainable behavioral strategies rather than monetary incentives.
Results from meta-analysis showed no significant effect of use of financial incentives on weight loss or maintenance at 12 months and 18 months.
Why this rating
Systematic review of RCTs, but included studies had quality issues (no blinding, no intention-to-treat analysis).
Source
Systematic review of the use of financial incentives in treatments for obesity and overweight
Virginia Paul-Ebhohimhen et al. · Obesity Reviews · 2007
DOI 10.1111/j.1467-789x.2007.00409.x
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