Opportunity 

Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States due to its prevalence and connection to serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.  

Identifying effective strategies for treating obesity is a clinical challenge and a public health priority. Although various approaches exist to help individuals achieve initial weight loss, weight loss maintenance has proven much more difficult. 

Intervention 

A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania leveraged Way to Health to test the effect of escalating lottery-based incentives on weight loss maintenance.  

Participants aged 30 to 80 years with a body mass index of 30 to 45 before starting WW Digital (formerly Weight Watchers) who had a documented weight loss of at least 10 pounds in the previous four to six months were recruited to participate by email.  

All participants were advised to weigh themselves daily, with a goal of logging six or more weigh-ins per week. Participants in the control arm received weekly feedback on their performance via text message. In contrast, the intervention arm received weekly feedback and a weekly escalating lottery-based incentive for six months. Participants in both groups were then observed without intervention for six months. 

Impact 

Escalating lottery-based incentives successfully increased rates of self-weighing but did not improve weight loss maintenance.