Diet Rewards - Kaiser Permanente Weight Loss

Diet Rewards is a generic term for 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 is a trend in both the US and the UK. The Biggest Loser reality TV series has 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. The Volpp study found that dieters with incentives were five times more likely to reach their goal.

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): Programme that pays Coloradan citizens to lose weight. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente health organisation 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 organises 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 programme for teens who earn credits for physical activity by wearing a personal activity meter. Founded in 2010, based in San Francisco.
• egonomicslab.com (US): This social network let you set a personal commitment contract and back it up with money, you pick your goal, time frame to achieve the goal, and desired amount at stake. If you achieve your goal, you get your money back, but if you fall short of your goal, your money is sent to the designated recipient of your commitment.

For employers

Providers of weight loss incentive programmes to corporate employers include:

• S2H Challenge (US): S2H.COM - Health & Wellness content, incentive-based rewards, monthly engagement reports, the ability to set up teams, weight tracking tools and more.
• 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 programmes to corporate employers include:

• S2H Challenge (US): S2H.COM - company's exclusive Challenge Website. Health & Wellness content, incentive-based rewards, monthly engagement reports, the ability to set up teams, weight tracking tools and more.
• PruHealth (Vitality programme) (UK): Private medical insurer that rewards clients' employees for healthy behaviour with Vitality points for shopping.
• RedBrick Health (US)
• Virgin Health Miles (US): Part of the Virgin Group.

See also

• Dieting
• List of diets

References

External links

Interesting Informations

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