Dieting for Dollars?

How much money would it take to get you to lose weight? $100? $1,000? Or does money not matter? Due to the increasing health care costs related to treating obesity and obesity related illnesses (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol), many companies are coming up with cash incentives to motivate overweight employees to lose weight.

These motivation strategies come in a variety of flavors. The first is providing dollars for weight lost. Some companies reward employees for simply having a health evaluation or enrolling in a weight loss or nutrition class. The reward is granted even if the person does not attend the class. Others require actual weight loss before providing a reward. Still other companies have tried a "Biggest Loser" type contest. Refunding the cost of a weight loss program such as "Weight Watchers" or "Jenny Craig" or reducing health insurance premiums for weight loss are another way employees may benefit attempting to lose weight.

For some, other people's money may not be enough of an incentive. A recent study found that employees lose more weight (okay, it was only a pound more on average, but it was still more) if they put their own money on the line. Either an employer or an independent contract provide refundable bond contracts. An individual will put up his own money into the bond and set a weight loss goal. If the person reaches the weight loss goal, the money is returned to him. If not, the company keeps the money. One company called StickK.com sends the money from those who fail to a company the person despises as an extra incentive.

Being a dietitian, I am interested in any program to motivate people to lose weight. For some, that motivating factor may be money and that is fine if it works for them. The part I do have an issue with is that some people may resort to unhealthy measures just to lose the weight . Some people may choose to starve themselves or go on an unhealthy weight loss diet such as the grapefruit diet or the maple syrup diet. These weight loss techniques are not only deficient in nutrients and calories, they are also impossible to continue which sets the person up for failure.

It does not have to be this way though. The program can be designed along with weight loss and/or fitness classes. Providing education for healthy lifestyle choices that one can continue for life is the key for weight loss.

I think a good example of this is the TV show "The Biggest Loser". Although I do have issues with this program, the participants are taught about nutrition and physical fitness. By the time they leave, they do have the tools they need to continue the program at home.

For more information on this topic, please see the article at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100602/ap_on_he_me/us_med_dieting_for_dollars