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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02538783

The Weigh Forward, Financial Incentives for Maintenance of Weight Loss

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of financial incentives in improving and maintaining weight loss.

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity Body Weight Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

30 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

About this study

The study will evaluate the effectiveness of financial incentives in improving maintenance of weight loss. The investigators propose a 2-arm randomized controlled trial in which 258 participants who lose at least 5 kgs in a weight loss program will be randomized to one of the following: 1) daily weigh-ins and weekly feedback, 2) daily weigh-ins,weekly feedback, and a weekly escalating lottery-based financial incentive.

Study participants will be obese volunteers recruited from a major community-based weight loss program (Weight Watchers), who have lost at least 5kg during the 4-6 months prior to enrolling in the study. Upon enrollment, these participants will have an active online membership with Weight Watchers. Among these participants, the following will be assessed: 1. Assess the effectiveness of escalating lottery rewards, relative to the control group, on maintenance of weight loss over the ensuing 6 months (Phase I); 2.The degree to which weight loss is maintained in the intervention group relative to usual care during the 6 months following the cessation of the interventions (Phase II).

During Phase I, incentives will be provided to some study participants (escalating lottery arm) for the first 6 months and participants will be followed for 6 more months to examine effects following cessation of incentives.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults age 30-80
  • BMI between 30 and 45 prior to starting Weight Watchers
  • Have a documented weight loss of at least 5kg in the past 4-6 months before enrolling
  • Stable health
  • Have an online Weight Watchers membership

Exclusion criteria

  • Substance abuse
  • Bulimia nervosa or related behaviors
  • Pregnancy or breast feeding
  • Medical contraindications to counseling about diet, physical activity, or weight reduction
  • Unstable mental illness
  • Screen positive for pathological gambling on the basis of the 10 item DSM-IV criteria (excluded if meets 5 or more criteria)
  • Individuals unable to read consent forms or fill out surveys in English

Treatment and study plan

Escalating Lottery

Behavioral

Participants in the lottery arms will receive financial incentives as part of the intervention. See arm descriptions for more detail.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Weight, Baseline and 6 Months

    Time frame: 6 months

    Among participants who lost 5 kg or more of baseline weight prior to randomization, assess the effectiveness of escalating lottery rewards, relative to the control group, on maintenance of weight loss after 6 months of intervention

  2. Change in Weight, 6 Months and 12 Months

    Time frame: 12 months

    Among participants who lost 5 kg or more of baseline weight prior to randomization, assess the degree to which weight loss is maintained in the intervention groups relative to usual care during the 6 months following the cessation of the interventions

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Pennsylvania

Other

Collaborators

  • Duke University
  • National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomized Trial of Financial Incentives for Maintenance of Weight Loss

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2018
First posted
Sep 2, 2015
Registry last updated
Jan 14, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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