Study Finds Premium-Based Financial Incentives Did Not Promote Workplace Weight Loss
Sources: Penn Medicine News, US News & World Report, Philadelphia Inquirer, NPR, NPR Blog, Chicago Tribune, Kaiser Health News, WebMD, HealthDay, Medical Xpress, HealthDay, Metro, Human Resource Executive, PhillyVoice, Health Affairs Podcast, January 6, 2016
A study led by Dr. Mitesh Patel, published in Health Affairs, revealed that three different types of incentive programs using either health insurance premium adjustments or lottery-based financial incentives were ineffective for promoting weight loss in a randomized trial using weight scales in the workplace. Authors note that the apparent failure of the incentives to promote weight loss suggests that employers encouraging weight reduction and other healthy lifestyle choices through workplace wellness programs should test incentive designs different from the typical premium-based financial incentives.