Diet rewards

Diet rewards are incentives, such as cash payments, to individuals to maintain good health and wellness by a healthy diet, particularly a diet aimed at reaching a healthy weight. This has been a trend in both the US and the UK.^[1][2][3] The Biggest Loser reality TV series increased public awareness of the idea of losing weight for cash and the importance of regular weigh-ins.

Evidence of effectiveness

Several academic studies have concluded that financial incentives are effective for producing weight loss.^[4][5][6][7] The Kevin G. Volpp et al. study found that dieters with incentives were five times more likely to reach their goal. How incentives are delivered appears to play a role in their effectiveness. In a 2016 study, insurance premium adjustments as high as $550 were shown to be ineffective in driving weight loss.^[8]

Organizations and programs

Direct to consumers

Among the current providers of weight loss incentives for consumers are:

• HealthyWage (US): Pays individuals $200 for losing 10% of their weight, and up to $1,000 for reaching a healthy weight. Founded in 2009, based in New York.
• Weigh and Win (Colorado, US): Program that pays Colorado citizens to lose weight. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and operated by Incentahealth.
• WeightLossWars (US): Website allows groups and individuals to set up and administer weight loss competitions, including for money. Founded in 2004, based in Texas.
• Dietbet (US): Website that organizes weight loss competitions among friends to lose 8 lbs over 4 weeks. Founded in 2010, based in New York.
• Fatbet.net (US): Website allows individuals to set weight loss goals and arrange bets and competitions with friends.
• Weight Wins (UK): Provides personal incentive plans for individuals that pays them for each pound of weight loss plus a bonus for long-term success. Maximum reward £3,000 on a 24-month plan. Founded in 2008, based in London.

Providers of health and wellness incentives for consumers, including weight loss, include:

• stickK (US): Website where individuals commit to stopping smoking, losing weight, or other personal resolutions; if they fail, they surrender money to charity. Founded in 2007, based in New York.
• HealthRally (US): Website which permits friends to motivate one another to stop smoking, get in shape, or lose weight by pledging money and gifts. Founded in 2010, based in San Francisco.
• Zamzee (US): An online rewards program for teens who earn credits for physical activity by wearing a personal activity meter. Founded in 2010, based in San Francisco.

For employers

Providers of weight loss incentive programs to corporate employers include:

• Tangerine Wellness (US): Founded in 2004, based in New Hampshire.
• Incentahealth (US): Founded in 2004, based in Denver, Colorado.
• HealthyWage (US): Runs team weight loss competitions for companies. The team with the highest percentage weight loss wins, and gets $10,000. Founded in 2009, based in New York.
• Weight Wins (UK): Provides personal incentive plans via employers.

Providers of health incentive programs to corporate employers include:

• PruHealth (Vitality program) (UK): Private medical insurer that rewards clients' employees for healthy behaviour with Vitality points for shopping.
• RedBrick Health (US)
• VAL Health (US): Runs behavioral economics based incentives for employers' existing health and wellness programs.
• Virgin Health Miles (US): Part of the Virgin Group.

See also

• Dieting
• List of diets