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Munir M, Zakaria ZA, Baig AA, Mohamad MB, Arshed N, Alhajj R. Global impact on human obesity - A robust non-linear panel data analysis. Nutr Health 2024; 30:531-548. [PMID: 36198038 DOI: 10.1177/02601060221129142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Recent studies in economics showed that humans are bounded rational. This being consumers, they are not perfect judges of what matters for the standard of living. While with a marked increase in economic and social wellbeing, there is a consistent rise in obesity levels, especially in the developed world. Thus, this study intends to explore the empirical and socio-economic antecedents of human obesity across countries using six global indexes. Methods: This study used the data of 40 countries between 1975 to 2018 and used the Panel FGLS Regression with the quadratic specification. Findings: The results showed that health and food indicators increase global human obesity, environment and education indicators decrease global human obesity, and economic and social indicators follow an inverted U-shaped pattern in affecting global human obesity. Originality: Previous studies have used infant mortality and life expectancy as the major health indicator in determining the standard of living while overlooking global human obesity as a major deterrent to welfare. This study has provided a holistic assessment of the causes of obesity in global contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubbasher Munir
- Faculty of Informatics and Computing, Universiti of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Zahrahtul Amani Zakaria
- Faculty of Informatics and Computing, Universiti of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Atif Amin Baig
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | | | - Noman Arshed
- Department of Economics, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Reda Alhajj
- School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Computer Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Health Informatics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Gross AC, Freese RL, Bensignor MO, Bomberg EM, Dengel DR, Fox CK, Rudser KD, Ryder JR, Bramante CT, Raatz S, Lim F, Hur C, Kelly AS. Financial Incentives and Treatment Outcomes in Adolescents With Severe Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatr 2024; 178:753-762. [PMID: 38884967 PMCID: PMC11184501 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.1701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Importance Adolescent severe obesity is usually not effectively treated with traditional lifestyle modification therapy. Meal replacement therapy (MRT) shows short-term efficacy for body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) reduction in adolescents, and financial incentives (FIs) may be an appropriate adjunct intervention to enhance long-term efficacy. Objective To evaluate the effect of MRT plus FIs vs MRT alone on BMI, body fat, and cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents with severe obesity. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a randomized clinical trial of MRT plus FIs vs MRT alone at a large academic health center in the Midwest conducted from 2018 to 2022. Participants were adolescents (ages 13-17 y) with severe obesity (≥120% of the 95th BMI percentile based on sex and age or ≥35 BMI, whichever was lower) who were unaware of the FI component of the trial until they were randomized to MRT plus FIs or until the end of the trial. Study staff members collecting clinical measures were blinded to treatment condition. Data were analyzed from March 2022 to February 2024. Interventions MRT included provision of preportioned, calorie-controlled meals (~1200 kcals/d). In the MRT plus FI group, incentives were provided based on reduction in body weight from baseline. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was mean BMI percentage change from randomization to 52 weeks. Secondary end points included total body fat and cardiometabolic risk factors: blood pressure, triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein ratio, heart rate variability, and arterial stiffness. Cost-effectiveness was additionally evaluated. Safety was assessed through monthly adverse event monitoring and frequent assessment of unhealthy weight-control behaviors. Results Among 126 adolescents with severe obesity (73 female [57.9%]; mean [SD] age, 15.3 [1.2] years), 63 participants received MRT plus FIs and 63 participants received only MRT. At 52 weeks, the mean BMI reduction was greater by -5.9 percentage points (95% CI, -9.9 to -1.9 percentage points; P = .004) in the MRT plus FI compared with the MRT group. The MRT plus FI group had a greater reduction in mean total body fat mass by -4.8 kg (95% CI, -9.1 to -0.6 kg; P = .03) and was cost-effective (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, $39 178 per quality-adjusted life year) compared with MRT alone. There were no significant differences in cardiometabolic risk factors or unhealthy weight-control behaviors between groups. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, adding FIs to MRT resulted in greater reductions in BMI and total body fat in adolescents with severe obesity without increased unhealthy weight-control behaviors. FIs were cost-effective and possibly promoted adherence to health behaviors. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03137433.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy C Gross
- University of Minnesota Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine, Minneapolis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Rebecca L Freese
- Biostatistical Design and Analysis Center, University of Minnesota Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Minneapolis
| | - Megan O Bensignor
- University of Minnesota Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine, Minneapolis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Eric M Bomberg
- University of Minnesota Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine, Minneapolis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Donald R Dengel
- University of Minnesota Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine, Minneapolis
- University of Minnesota School of Kinesiology, Minneapolis
| | - Claudia K Fox
- University of Minnesota Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine, Minneapolis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Kyle D Rudser
- Division of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis
| | - Justin R Ryder
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Carolyn T Bramante
- University of Minnesota Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine, Minneapolis
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Sarah Raatz
- University of Minnesota Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine, Minneapolis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Francesca Lim
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Chin Hur
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Aaron S Kelly
- University of Minnesota Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine, Minneapolis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
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Axt J, To J. How Can Debiasing Research Aid Efforts to Reduce Discrimination? PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW 2024:10888683241244829. [PMID: 38647090 DOI: 10.1177/10888683241244829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
PUBLIC ABSTRACT Scientists studying intergroup biases are often concerned with lessening discrimination (unequal treatment of one social group versus another), but many interventions for reducing such biased behavior have weak or limited evidence. In this review article, we argue one productive avenue for reducing discrimination comes from adapting interventions in a separate field-judgment and decision-making-that has historically studied "debiasing": the ways people can lessen the unwanted influence of irrelevant information on decision-making. While debiasing research shares several commonalities with research on reducing intergroup discrimination, many debiasing interventions have relied on methods that differ from those deployed in the intergroup bias literature. We review several instances where debiasing principles have been successfully applied toward reducing intergroup biases in behavior and introduce other debiasing techniques that may be well-suited for future efforts in lessening discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Axt
- McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jeffrey To
- McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Shetty A, Yang Q, Pendergast J, Leverson G, Shaw R, Voils CI, Gavin KL. Small Monetary Incentives Lead to Greater Adherence in a Weight Loss Program. Am J Health Promot 2024; 38:177-185. [PMID: 37943986 PMCID: PMC11323260 DOI: 10.1177/08901171231213160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Understand how weekly monetary incentives for dietary tracking and/or weight loss impact 6-month weight loss behavioral adherence. DESIGN Secondary analysis of participants randomized to one of four conditions in a behavioral weight loss intervention: incentives for dietary tracking, incentives for weight loss, both, or none. SETTING Participants were asked to self-weigh at least twice weekly, log food and drink in a mobile application five days weekly, and attend bi-weekly, group-based classes. SAMPLE Data from (n = 91) adults with obesity who completed a 24-week behavioral weight loss intervention of whom 88% were female and 74% Non-Hispanic White, were analyzed. MEASURES Non-adherence to weight and dietary self-monitoring was defined as the second week of not meeting criteria. Class attendance was also tracked. ANALYSIS Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to examine differences across the four conditions. RESULTS Participants incentivized for dietary self-monitoring had an average 15.8 weeks (SE:1.2) until the first non-adherent week compared to 5.9 weeks (SE:0.8) for those not incentivized for dietary self-monitoring (P < .01). Those incentivized for weight loss had an average 18.0 weeks (SE:1.02) of self-weighing until the first non-adherent week compared to 13.5 weeks (SE:1.3) for those not incentivized for weight loss (P = .02). No difference in class attendance was observed. CONCLUSIONS Incentivizing behaviors associated with weight loss improved adherence to those behaviors and does not appear to spill over to non-incentivized behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armaan Shetty
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Qiuyu Yang
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jane Pendergast
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Glen Leverson
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ryan Shaw
- School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Corrine I. Voils
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kara L. Gavin
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
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de Buisonjé DR, Reijnders T, Cohen Rodrigues TR, Santhanam P, Kowatsch T, Breeman LD, Janssen VR, Kraaijenhagen RA, Kemps HMC, Evers AWM. Less stick more carrot? Increasing the uptake of deposit contract financial incentives for physical activity: A randomized controlled trial. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2024; 70:102532. [PMID: 37678644 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Financial incentives are a promising tool to help people increase their physical activity, but they are expensive to provide. Deposit contracts are a type of financial incentive in which participants pledge their own money. However, low uptake is a crucial obstacle to the large-scale implementation of deposit contracts. Therefore, we investigated whether (1) matching the deposit 1:1 (doubling what is deposited) and (2) allowing for customizable deposit amounts increased the uptake and short term effectiveness of a deposit contract for physical activity. METHODS In this randomized controlled trial, 137 healthy students (age M = 21.6 years) downloaded a smartphone app that provided them with a tailored step goal and then randomized them to one of four experimental conditions. The deposit contract required either a €10 fixed deposit or a customizable deposit with any amount between €1 and €20 upfront. Furthermore, the deposit was either not matched or 1:1 matched (doubled) with a reward provided by the experiment. During 20 intervention days, daily feedback on goal progress and incentive earnings was provided by the app. We investigated effects on the uptake (measured as agreeing to participate and paying the deposit) and effectiveness of behavioral adoption (measured as participant days goal achieved). FINDINGS Overall, the uptake of deposit contracts was 83.2%, and participants (n = 113) achieved 14.9 out of 20 daily step goals. A binary logistic regression showed that uptake odds were 4.08 times higher when a deposit was matched (p = .010) compared to when it was not matched. Furthermore, uptake odds were 3.53 times higher when a deposit was customizable (p = .022) compared to when it was fixed. Two-way ANCOVA showed that matching (p = .752) and customization (p = .143) did not impact intervention effectiveness. However, we did find a marginally significant interaction effect of deposit matching X deposit customization (p = .063, ηp2 = 0.032). Customization decreased effectiveness when deposits were not matched (p = .033, ηp2 = 0.089), but had no effect when deposits were matched (p = .776, ηp2 = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We provide the first experimental evidence that both matching and customization increase the uptake of a deposit contract for physical activity. We recommend considering both matching and customization to overcome lack of uptake, with a preference for customization since matching a deposit imposes significant additional costs. However, since we found indications that customizable deposits might reduce effectiveness (when the deposits are not matched), we urge for more research on the effectiveness of customizable deposit contracts. Finally, future research should investigate which participant characteristics are predictive of deposit contract uptake and effectiveness. PRE-REGISTRATION OSF Registries, https://osf.io/cgq48.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R de Buisonjé
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Thomas Reijnders
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Human-Centered Design, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, TU Delft, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Talia R Cohen Rodrigues
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Prabhakaran Santhanam
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Kowatsch
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; School of Medicine, University of St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Linda D Breeman
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Veronica R Janssen
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Hareld M C Kemps
- Department of Cardiology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, the Netherlands; Department of Industrial Design, Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea W M Evers
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden University, Technical University Delft, and Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Designing financial incentives for health behaviour change: a mixed-methods case study of weight loss in men with obesity. J Public Health (Oxf) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10389-022-01785-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Aim
Designing financial incentives for health behaviour change requires choices across several domains, including value (the size of the incentive), frequency of incentives, and direction (gain or loss). However, the rationale underlying complex incentive design is infrequently reported. Transparent reporting is important if we want to understand and improve the incentive development process. This paper describes a mixed methods approach for designing financial incentives for health behaviour change which involves stakeholders throughout the design process.
Subject and methods
The mixed methods approach focuses on incentives for weight loss for men with obesity living in areas with high levels of disadvantage. The approach involves: (a) using an existing framework to identify all domains of a financial incentive scheme for which choices need to be made, deciding what criteria are relevant (such as effectiveness, acceptability and uptake) and making choices on each domain on the basis of the criteria; (b) conducting a survey of target population preferences to inform choices for domains and to design the incentive scheme; and (c) making final decisions at a stakeholder consensus workshop.
Results
The approach was implemented and an incentive scheme for weight loss for men living with obesity was developed. Qualitative interview data from men receiving the incentives in a feasibility trial endorses our approach.
Conclusion
This paper demonstrates that a mixed methods approach with stakeholder involvement can be used to design financial incentives for health behaviour change such as weight loss.
Trial registration number
NCT03040518. Date: 2 February 2017.
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Naeim A, Guerin RJ, Baxter-King R, Okun AH, Wenger N, Sepucha K, Stanton AL, Rudkin A, Holliday D, Rossell Hayes A, Vavreck L. Strategies to increase the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19: Findings from a nationally representative survey of US adults, October 2020 to October 2021. Vaccine 2022; 40:7571-7578. [PMID: 36357290 PMCID: PMC9464582 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We examined COVID-19 vaccination status, intention, and hesitancy and the effects of five strategies to increase the willingness of unvaccinated adults (≥18 years) to get a COVID vaccine. METHODS Online surveys were conducted between October 1-17, 2020 (N = 14,946), December 4-16, 2020 (N = 15,229), April 8-22, 2021 (N = 14,557), June 17-July 6, 2021 (N = 30,857), and September 3-October 4, 2021 (N = 33,088) with an internet-based, non-probability opt-in sample of U.S. adults matching demographic quotas. Respondents were asked about current COVID-19 vaccination status, intention and hesitancy to get vaccinated, and reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Unvaccinated respondents were assigned to treatment groups to test the effect of five strategies (endorsements, changing social restrictions, financial incentives, vaccine requirements for certain activities, and vaccine requirements for work). Chi-square tests of independence were performed to detect differences in the response distributions. RESULTS Willingness to be vaccinated (defined as being vaccinated or planning to be) increased over time from 47.6 % in October 2020 to 81.1 % in October 2021. By October 2021, across most demographic groups, over 75 % of survey respondents had been or planned to be vaccinated. In terms of strategies: (1) endorsements had no positive effect, (2) relaxing the need for masks and social distancing increased Intention to Get Vaccinated (IGV) by 6.4 % (p < 0.01), (3) offering financial incentives increased the IGV between 12.3 and 18.9 % (p <.001), (4) vaccine requirements for attending sporting events or traveling increased IGV by 7.8 % and 9.1 %, respectively (p = 0.02), and vaccine requirement for work increased IGV by 35.4 %. The leading causes (not mutually exclusive) for hesitancy were concerns regarding vaccine safety (52.5 %) or side effects (51.6 %), trust in the government's motives (41.0 %), and concerns about vaccine effectiveness (37.6 %). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that multiple strategies may be effective and needed to increase COVID-19 vaccination among hesitant adults during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Naeim
- Center for SMART Health, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, United States.
| | - Rebecca J Guerin
- Division of Science Integration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States
| | - Ryan Baxter-King
- Department of Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Andrea H Okun
- Division of Science Integration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States
| | - Neil Wenger
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Sciences Research, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, United States
| | - Karen Sepucha
- Health Decision Sciences Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Annette L Stanton
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry/Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, United States
| | - Aaron Rudkin
- Departments of Political Science, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Derek Holliday
- Department of Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
| | | | - Lynn Vavreck
- Departments of Political Science and Communication, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
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Hulbert LR, Michael SL, Charter-Harris J, Atkins C, Skeete RA, Cannon MJ. Effectiveness of Incentives for Improving Diabetes-Related Health Indicators in Chronic Disease Lifestyle Modification Programs: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Prev Chronic Dis 2022; 19:E66. [PMID: 36302383 PMCID: PMC9616129 DOI: 10.5888/pcd19.220151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We examined the effectiveness of providing incentives to participants in lifestyle modification programs to improve diabetes-related health indicators: body weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol, and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C). We also examined the potential effect of 4 different incentive domains (ie, type, monetary value, attainment certainty, and schedule) on those indicators. METHODS We searched Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies published from January 2008 through August 2021. We used a random-effects model to pool study results and examine between-study heterogeneity by using the I2 statistic and the Cochran Q test. We also conducted moderator analyses by using a mixed-effects model to examine differences between subgroups of incentive domains (eg, incentive type [cash vs other types]). RESULTS Our search yielded 10,965 articles, of which 19 randomized controlled trials met our selection criteria. The random-effects model revealed that, relative to the control group, the incentive group had significant reductions in weight (-1.85kg; 95% CI, -2.40 to -1.29; P < .001), BMI (-0.47kg/m2; 95% CI, -0.71 to -0.22; P < .001), and both systolic blood pressure (-2.59 mm HG; 95% CI, -4.98 to -0.20; P = .03) and diastolic blood pressure (-2.62 mm Hg; 95% CI, -4.61 to -0.64; P = .01). A reduction in cholesterol level was noted but was not significant (-2.81 mg/dL; 95% CI, -8.89 to -3.28; P = .37). One study found a significant reduction in hemoglobin A1c (-0.17%; 95% CI, -0.30% to -0.05%; P < .05). The moderator analyses showed that the incentive effect did not vary significantly between the subgroups of the incentive domains, except on weight loss for the attainment certainty domain, suggesting that a variety of incentive subgroups could be equally useful. CONCLUSION Providing incentives in lifestyle modification programs is a promising strategy to decrease weight, BMI, and blood pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- LaShonda R Hulbert
- CyberData Technologies, Inc, Herndon, Virginia
- Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Mailstop 107-3, Atlanta, GA 30341.
| | - Shannon L Michael
- Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jasmine Charter-Harris
- Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - Charisma Atkins
- Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Michael J Cannon
- Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Sedhom R, Blackford AL, Gupta A, Smith TJ, Shulman LN, Carducci MA. Oncologist Peer Comparisons as a Behavioral Science Strategy to Improve Hospice Utilization. JCO Oncol Pract 2022; 18:e1122-e1131. [PMID: 35377734 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Hospice utilization metrics are essential for any serious effort to improve end-of-life care in oncology. However, oncologists do not routinely receive these personalized reports. We evaluated whether a behavioral science intervention, using peer comparisons coupled with social norms, was associated with improvements in hospice use. METHODS Oncologists at two academic practices of Johns Hopkins Medicine were randomly assigned to receive a peer comparison report by e-mail displaying individual hospice utilization metrics compared with top-performing peers or to receive no report. The data accrued for the intervention represented hospice utilization for the previous calendar year. The intervention period was from June 1, 2020, to December 30, 2020, and included oncologists from both the solid and hematologic malignancies programs. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients between groups with short hospice length of stay (LOS; defined as ≤ 7 days) after 6 months. Secondary outcomes included hospice referral rate, enrollment rate, and median LOS. RESULTS Forty-seven oncologists participated. The percent of patients with a short hospice stay in the intervention group was lower (17.4%) compared with patients treated by physicians in the usual care group (46.3%, difference = 21.8%; 95% CI, 16.0 to 41.6; P < .001). Receipt of peer comparisons was associated with a greater likelihood of enrolling in hospice (73.7% v 42.8%; difference = 31.1%; 95% CI, 20.4 to 41.7; P < .001) and a longer hospice LOS (37.2 v 18.3 days; difference = 17.2; 95% CI, 8.8 to 25.7 days; P < .001). CONCLUSION Peer comparisons improved hospice utilization metrics among a group of academic oncologists. Behavioral science offers one pragmatic strategy to overcome suboptimal oncologist decision-making biases related to hospice use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramy Sedhom
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Amanda L Blackford
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Arjun Gupta
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Thomas J Smith
- Section of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore MD
| | - Lawrence N Shulman
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Michael A Carducci
- Section of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore MD
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Krukowski RA, Harvey JR, Naud S, Finkelstein EA, West DS. Perspectives on the Form, Magnitude, Certainty, Target, and Frequency of Financial Incentives in a Weight Loss Program. Am J Health Promot 2022; 36:996-1004. [PMID: 35377246 PMCID: PMC10369452 DOI: 10.1177/08901171221078843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Financial incentives are a promising approach to enhance weight loss outcomes; however, little guidance exists on the optimal incentive structure. DESIGN Mixed methods. SETTING An online weight management trial, combining outcome (i.e., weight loss) and behavioral (i.e., self-weighing, dietary self-monitoring, and steps) incentives over 12 months (up to $665). SUBJECTS 116 participants who completed the incentive preference assessment at the 18-month follow-up visit. METHOD Response distributions on the form, magnitude, certainty, and target of the incentives and content analysis of the qualitative responses. RESULTS Nearly all (96.6%) participants indicated they liked receiving electronic Amazon gift cards, more so than the alternatives presented. Most participants (81.0%) thought they would have lost a similar amount of weight if the incentives were smaller. Few (18.1%) indicated they would have preferred a lottery structure, but 50.8% indicated the variable incentive schedule was beneficial during the maintenance period. Most (77.6%) felt incentives were most helpful when starting to lose weight. In both phases, most participants (85.3% and 72.4%, respectively) indicated appropriate behaviors were incentivized. Participants had mixed views on whether outcome or behavioral incentives were most motivating. CONCLUSION There was notable variation in preferences for the magnitude, duration, and timing of incentives; it will be important to examine in future research whether incentive design should be tailored to individual preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Krukowski
- Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, 2358University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jean R Harvey
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 2092University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Shelly Naud
- Biomedical Statistics, Larner College of Medicine, 2092University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Eric A Finkelstein
- Duke-NUS Medical School and Duke University Global Health Institute, singapore
| | - Delia S West
- Arnold School of Public Health, 2629University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
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11
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You W, Yuan Y, Boyle KJ, Michaud TL, Parmeter C, Seidel RW, Estabrooks PA. Examining Ways to Improve Weight Control Programs' Population Reach and Representativeness: A Discrete Choice Experiment of Financial Incentives. PHARMACOECONOMICS - OPEN 2022; 6:193-210. [PMID: 34757584 PMCID: PMC8864042 DOI: 10.1007/s41669-021-00310-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both theoretical and empirical evidence supports the potential of modest financial incentives to increase the reach of evidence-based weight control programs. However, few studies exist that examine the best incentive design for achieving the highest reach and representativeness at the lowest cost and whether or not incentive designs may be valued differentially by subgroups that experience obesity-related health disparities. METHODS A discrete choice experiment was conducted (n = 1232 participants; over 90% of them were overweight/obese) to collect stated preference towards different financial incentive attributes, including reward amount, program location, reward contingency, and payment form and frequency. Mixed logit and conditional logit models were used to determine overall and subgroup preference ranking of attributes. Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data sample weights and the estimated models, we predicted US nationally representative participation rates by subgroups and examined the effect of offering more than one incentive design. External validity was checked by using a completed cluster randomized control trial. RESULTS There were significant subgroup differences in preference toward incentive attributes. There was also a sizable negative response to larger incentive amounts among African Americans, suggesting that higher amounts would reduce participation from this population. We also find that offering participants a menu of incentive designs to choose from would increase reach more than offering higher reward amounts. CONCLUSIONS We confirmed the existence of preference heterogeneity and the importance of subgroup-targeted incentive designs in any evidence-based weight control program to maximize population reach and reduce health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen You
- Department of Public Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA USA
| | | | - Kevin J. Boyle
- Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Willis Blackwood Real Estate, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA USA
| | - Tzeyu L. Michaud
- Department of Health Promotion, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE USA
| | - Chris Parmeter
- Department of Economics, University of Miami, Miami, FL USA
| | - Richard W. Seidel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA USA
| | - Paul A. Estabrooks
- Department of Health Promotion, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE USA
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12
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Crainich D. [Financial incentives to achieve health-related behavioral goals: State of play and unresolved questions]. Med Sci (Paris) 2022; 38:198-204. [PMID: 35179475 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2022005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Programs providing monetary rewards to individuals who achieve a health-related goal (quitting smoking, losing weight, etc.) aim at promoting healthy behaviors. While these programs seem to achieve their objective in the short run, their ability to provoke lasting changes remains to be demonstrated. The identification of granting mechanisms likely to maximize the incentive effect of these rewards should be based on knowledge about individual attitudes evidenced by behavioral economics. As the latter has shown that preferences toward risk vary from one individual to another, these incentive mechanisms should be tailor-made according to individual preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Crainich
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, IESEG School of management, UMR 9221 - LEM (Lille Économie Management), 3 rue de la Digue, F-59000 Lille, France
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13
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McCurdy AJ, Normand MP. The effects of a group‐deposit prize draw on the step counts of sedentary and low active adults. BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/bin.1869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alex J. McCurdy
- Department of Psychology University of the Pacific Stockton California USA
| | - Matthew P. Normand
- Department of Psychology University of the Pacific Stockton California USA
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14
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West DS, Krukowski RA, Monroe CM, Stansbury ML, Carpenter CA, Finkelstein EA, Naud S, Ogden D, Harvey JR. Randomized controlled trial of financial incentives during weight-loss induction and maintenance in online group weight control. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2022; 30:106-116. [PMID: 34932889 PMCID: PMC10519100 DOI: 10.1002/oby.23322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined the impact of a financial incentive scheme integrating process and outcome incentives across weight-loss induction and weight maintenance on 18-month weight outcomes. METHODS This was a randomized controlled trial. Participants with overweight or obesity (n = 418; 91% female; 28% racial/ethnic minority) were randomized to an 18-month, online, group-based behavioral weight-control program (Internet-Only) or the same program with financial incentives provided for 12 months, contingent on self-regulatory weight-control behaviors (self-weighing, dietary self-monitoring, and physical activity) and weight-outcome benchmarks (Internet+Incentives). No financial incentives were provided from Months 13 to 18 to examine the durability of weight-control behaviors and outcomes without incentives. RESULTS Weight-loss induction at Month 6 was significantly greater for Internet+Incentives than Internet-Only (6.8% vs. 4.9%, respectively, p = 0.01). Individuals receiving incentives were significantly more likely to maintain weight loss ≥ 5% at Month 12 (45% in Internet+Incentives vs. 32% in Internet-Only, p < 0.02) and remain weight stable (39% vs. 27%, respectively, p < 0.01). Internet+Incentives participants also reported significantly greater behavioral engagement through Month 12. However, once incentives ceased, there were no differences in sustained weight outcomes (Month 18), and engagement declined dramatically. CONCLUSIONS Despite promoting greater treatment engagement and initial weight loss, financial incentives as offered in this study did not promote better extended weight control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia S. West
- Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Rebecca A. Krukowski
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Courtney M. Monroe
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Melissa L. Stansbury
- Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Chelsea A. Carpenter
- Department of Clinical & Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Eric A. Finkelstein
- Duke-NUS Medical School and Duke University Global Health Institute, Singapore and Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shelly Naud
- Department of Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Doris Ogden
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Jean R. Harvey
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
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15
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Krukowski R, Johnson B, Kim H, Sen S, Homsi R. A Pragmatic Intervention Using Financial Incentives for Pregnancy Weight Management: Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Form Res 2021; 5:e30578. [PMID: 34951594 PMCID: PMC8742213 DOI: 10.2196/30578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is common and can result in maternal and child health complications. Pragmatic behavioral interventions that can be incorporated into standard obstetric care are needed, and financial incentives are a promising approach. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of recruitment, randomization, and retention, as well as treatment engagement and intervention satisfaction, in a behavioral program. The program provided small incentives for meeting behavioral goals of self-weighing and physical activity as well as larger outcome incentives for meeting GWG goals. METHODS We recruited 40 adult women in their first trimester of pregnancy from February 2019 to September 2019 at an obstetric clinic. Participants were randomized to 3 intervention components using a 2×2×2 factorial design: daily incentives for self-weighing (lottery vs certain loss), incentives for adhering to the Institute of Medicine's GWG guidelines based on BMI category (monthly vs overall), and incentives for reaching physical activity goals (yes vs no). Participants were asked to complete daily weigh-ins using the Withings Body wireless scale provided by the study, as well as wear a physical activity tracker (Fitbit Flex 2). Feasibility outcomes of recruitment, randomization, and retention, as well as treatment engagement and intervention satisfaction, were assessed. Weight assessments were conducted at baseline, 32-week gestation, and 36-week gestation. RESULTS Participants were enrolled at, on average, 9.6 (SD 1.8) weeks' gestation. Of the 39 participants who were oriented to their condition and received the intervention, 24 (62%) were Black or African American, 30 (77%) were not married, and 29 (74%) had an annual household income of less than US $50,000. Of the 39 participants, 35 (90%) completed the follow-up data collection visit. Participants were generally quite positive about the intervention components, with a particular emphasis on the helpfulness of, and the enjoyment of using, the e-scale in both the quantitative and qualitative feedback. Participants who received the loss incentive, on average, had 2.86 times as many days of self-weighing as those who received the lottery incentive. Participants had a relatively low level of activity, with no difference between those who received a physical activity incentive and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS A financial incentive-based pragmatic intervention was feasible and acceptable for pregnant women for promoting self-weighing, physical activity, and healthy GWG. Participants were successfully recruited early in their first trimester of pregnancy and retained for follow-up data collection in the third trimester. Participants demonstrated promising engagement in self-weighing, particularly with loss-based incentives, and reported finding the self-weighing especially helpful. This study supports further investigation of pragmatic, clinic-based financial incentive-based interventions for healthy GWG behaviors. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03834194; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03834194.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Krukowski
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Public Health Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Brandi Johnson
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Hyeonju Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Saunak Sen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Riad Homsi
- Just For Women Obstetric Clinic, Memphis, TN, United States
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16
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LeBlanc LA, Lerman DC, Normand MP. Behavior analytic contributions to public health and telehealth. J Appl Behav Anal 2021; 53:1208-1218. [PMID: 32715473 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis is launching a special series on the topics of public health and telehealth. The special series begins with the articles in this issue and will continue for the next 2 to 3 issues with an open submission window until September 1, 2020. Behavior analysis has much to offer with respect to public health and much to gain from continued and expanded use of telehealth. This paper outlines the importance of these topics in the current crisis and in our ongoing evolution as a field. The historical literature in behavior analysis is reviewed for each topic along with suggestions for future research. The articles from the special series will be combined with historical contributions from JABA into a virtual issue. We encourage continued submissions on these topics even after the special series is completed as future papers will also be incorporated into the special issue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dorothea C Lerman
- Clinical, Health, and Applied Sciences, University of Houston, Clear Lake
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17
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Cory M, Loiacono B, Clark Withington M, Herman A, Jagpal A, Buscemi J. Behavioral Economic Approaches to Childhood Obesity Prevention Nutrition Policies: A Social Ecological Perspective. Perspect Behav Sci 2021; 44:317-332. [PMID: 34632280 PMCID: PMC8476712 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-021-00294-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern associated with the development of the leading causes of death. Dietary factors largely contribute to childhood obesity, but prevention interventions targeting these factors have reported relatively small effect sizes. One potential explanation for the ineffectiveness of prevention efforts is lack of theoretical grounding. Behavioral economic (BE) theory describes how people choose to allocate their resources and posits that some children place higher value on palatable foods (relative reinforcing value of food) and have difficulty delaying food rewards (delay discounting). These seemingly individual-level decision making processes are influenced by higher-level variables (e.g., environment/policy) as described by the social ecological model. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a theoretical review of policy-level childhood obesity prevention nutrition initiatives informed by BE. We reviewed two policy-level approaches: (1) incentives-/price manipulation-based policies (e.g., sugary drink tax, SNAP pilot) and (2) healthful choices as defaults (Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act/National School Lunch Program, advertising regulations, default items). We review current literature as well as its limitations and future directions. Exploration of BE theory applications for nutrition policies may help to inform future theoretically grounded policy-level public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Cory
- Department of Psychology, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614 USA
| | | | | | - Annie Herman
- Department of Psychology, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614 USA
| | - Anjana Jagpal
- Department of Psychology, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614 USA
| | - Joanna Buscemi
- Department of Psychology, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614 USA
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18
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Voils CI, Pendergast J, Hale SL, Gierisch JM, Strawbridge EM, Levine E, McVay MA, Reed SD, Yancy WS, Shaw RJ. A randomized feasibility pilot trial of a financial incentives intervention for dietary self-monitoring and weight loss in adults with obesity. Transl Behav Med 2021; 11:954-969. [PMID: 33245118 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibaa102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Financial incentives could be used to improve adherence to behavioral weight loss interventions, increasing their effectiveness. This Phase IIb randomized pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a study protocol for providing financial incentives for dietary self-monitoring and/or weight loss. Community-dwelling adults with obesity were enrolled in a 24 week, group-based weight loss program. Participants were randomized in a 2 × 2 factorial design to receive financial incentives for both dietary self-monitoring and weekly weight loss, just one, or neither. Participants could earn up to $300, evolving from fixed weekly payments to intermittent, variable payments. The notice of reward was provided by text message. The study was conducted in three successive cohorts to evaluate study procedure changes, including dietary approach, recruitment and retention strategies, text messaging, and incentives. Descriptive statistics calculated separately for each cohort described study performance relative to predefined targets for recruitment, including minority representation; retention; adherence; and weight loss. Acceptability was assessed via postintervention qualitative interviews. In Cohort 1 (n = 34), a low-carbohydrate diet was used. Recruitment, retention, adherence, and weight loss were adequate, but minority representation was not. For Cohort 2 (n = 31), employing an additional recruitment method and switching to a reduced-calorie diet yielded adequate recruitment, minority representation, retention, and adherence but less weight loss. Returning to a low-carbohydrate diet in Cohort 3 (n = 28) yielded recruitment, minority representation, retention, adherence, and weight loss similar to Cohort 2. Participant feedback informed changes to text message timing and content and incentive amount. Through successive cohorts, we optimized recruitment and retention strategies and text messaging. An adequately powered trial is warranted to evaluate the efficacy of these incentive structures for reducing weight. The trial registration number is NCT02691260.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrine I Voils
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,Research Service, William S Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Sarah L Hale
- School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer M Gierisch
- School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Health Services Research & Development, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Megan A McVay
- College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Shelby D Reed
- School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - William S Yancy
- School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Health Services Research & Development, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ryan J Shaw
- School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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19
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Keikha M, Jahanfar S, Christie J, Abedi P, Danowski M, Yoneoka D, Ebrahimi MH. Financial incentives for decreasing and preventing obesity in workers. Hippokratia 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd014576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Keikha
- Department of Public Health; Sirjan School of Medical Sciences; Sirjan Iran
| | - Shayesteh Jahanfar
- MPH Program, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine; Tufts University School of Medicine; Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Janice Christie
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health; University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre; Manchester UK
| | - Parvin Abedi
- Department of Midwifery, Reproductive Health Promotion Research Center; Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences; Ahvaz Iran
| | - Margaret Danowski
- Park Library; Central Michigan University; Mount Pleasant Michigan USA
| | - Daisuke Yoneoka
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Public Health; St. Luke’s International University; Tokyo Japan
| | - Mohammad Hossein Ebrahimi
- Environmental and Occupational Health Research Center, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences; Shahroud Iran
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20
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Pope L, Alpaugh M, Trubek A, Skelly J, Harvey J. Beyond Ramen: Investigating Methods to Improve Food Agency among College Students. Nutrients 2021; 13:1674. [PMID: 34069308 PMCID: PMC8156074 DOI: 10.3390/nu13051674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many college students struggle to cook frequently, which has implications for their diet quality and health. Students' ability to plan, procure, and prepare food (food agency) may be an important target for shifting the college student diet away from instant and inexpensive staples like packaged ramen. The randomized intervention study included two sequential cooking interventions: (1) six weeks of cooking classes based in food agency pedagogy held once per week, and (2) six weekly home delivered meal kits (3 meals per kit) to improve food agency, diet quality, and at home cooking frequency of college students. Based on availability and subsequent randomization, participants were assigned to one of four conditions that included active cooking classes, meal kit provision, or no intervention. Participants who took part in the cooking intervention had significant improvement in food agency immediately following the intervention period. Participants who did not participate in cooking classes and only received meal kits experienced significant, though less pronounced, improvement in food agency scores following the meal kit provision. Neither intervention improved diet quality or routinely improved cooking frequency. Active cooking classes may improve food agency of college students, though further research is needed to determine how this may translate into improved diet quality and increased cooking frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizzy Pope
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (L.P.); (A.T.); (J.H.)
| | - Mattie Alpaugh
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (L.P.); (A.T.); (J.H.)
| | - Amy Trubek
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (L.P.); (A.T.); (J.H.)
| | - Joan Skelly
- Department of Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
| | - Jean Harvey
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (L.P.); (A.T.); (J.H.)
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21
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Katare B. Do low-cost economic incentives motivate healthy behavior? ECONOMICS AND HUMAN BIOLOGY 2021; 41:100982. [PMID: 33611235 DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2021.100982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We conducted a field experiment to test the effectiveness of a conditional, low-cost, and recurring financial incentive in motivating recreation center visits. Results indicate that the financial incentive did not motivate students' recreation center visits. However, it was successful in increasing the frequency of recreation center visits for female students who had an established exercise habit. For a payout of $0.50, we estimate an increase of 0.4 visits per week for female students with established exercise habits. This provides modest evidence that the financial incentive structure was able to increase the behavioral response at the intensive margin. Our results show that the design of our financial incentive was not effective on the extensive margin. There was also no effect of the financial incentive on the recreation center visits for male students.
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22
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Higgins ST, Klemperer EM, Coleman SRM. Looking to the empirical literature on the potential for financial incentives to enhance adherence with COVID-19 vaccination. Prev Med 2021; 145:106421. [PMID: 33422575 PMCID: PMC7792521 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccination efforts are underway offering hope for saving lives and eliminating the pandemic. The most promising vaccines require two injections separated 3-4 weeks apart. To achieve heard immunity, 70-90% of the population or perhaps more must be inoculated. Anticipation of adherence challenges has generated commentaries on strategies to enhance adherence including financial incentives. A notable gap in these commentaries is any discussion of the scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of financial incentives for increasing vaccine adherence. This commentary addresses that gap. There is a body of controlled trials on incentivizing vaccine adherence, mostly to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine among injection drug users (IDUs). Prevalence of HBV infection is increasing as part of the opioid addiction crisis. The HBV vaccine entails a three-dose regimen (typically 0, 1, and 6 months) which has created adherence challenges among IDUs. Systematic literature reviews document significant benefit of financial incentives. For example, a 2019 meta-analysis (Tressler & Bhandari, 2019) examined 11 controlled trials examining HBV-vaccine adherence strategies, including financial incentives, accelerated dosing schedules, and case-management/enhanced services. Financial incentives were most effective resulting in a 7-fold increase in adherence to the vaccination regimen relative to no financial incentives (OR, 7.01; 95% CI, 2.88-17.06). Additional reviews provide further support for the efficacy of financial incentives for promoting adherence with vaccination (HBV & influenza). Overall, this literature suggests that financial incentives could be helpful in promoting the high levels of adherence to COVID-19 vaccines that experts project will be necessary for herd immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen T Higgins
- Vermont Center on Behavioral Health, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States of America.
| | - Elias M Klemperer
- Vermont Center on Behavioral Health, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States of America
| | - Sulamunn R M Coleman
- Vermont Center on Behavioral Health, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States of America
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23
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Gorny AW, Low MC, Sayampanathan AA, Shiraz F, Müller-Riemenschneider F. Motivations to exercise in young men following a residential weight loss programme conducted in National Service - a mixed methods study. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:370. [PMID: 33596886 PMCID: PMC7890904 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10373-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Physical activity is a critical component of lifestyle interventions to reduce body weight and maintain weight loss. The goal of this study was to examine the motivations to exercise in young men following a 5-month residential weight loss programme conducted in the Singapore military as part of National Service. Methods We conducted a sequential mixed methods study starting with three focus groups comprising 21 programme instructors. Fifteen former programme participants aged 20.8 years (±1.4) with an average body mass index (BMI) of 29.3 kg/m2 (±4.6) were interviewed in-depth over a total duration of 9 h. Another 487 current programme participants aged 20.8 years (±1.1), BMI 27.1 kg/m2 (±2.6), completed a survey on weight loss, physical fitness, and motivations to exercise using the Behaviours Regulating Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3). Qualitative data was coded thematically using the six constructs of exercise motivation described by self-determination theory: amotivation, external, introjected, identified and integrated regulation and intrinsic motivation. Quotes from interviewees were cross-tabulated according to their weight maintenance trajectories. BREQ-3 responses were analysed according to initial body mass index (BMI), percentage weight loss and fitness. Results Over the course of the residential programme interview and survey participants experienced an average weight loss of 15.6 kg (±6.5) and 13.0 kg (±5.4) respectively. Among the fifteen interviewees seven had gained no more than 34% of initial weight loss 6 months after completing the programme while another eight had gained more than 51%. We elicited three key themes from the data: (1) Barriers to exercise; (2) diminishing extrinsic motivation; and (3) unidentified exercise benefits. The integration of findings uncovered reinforcing motivational patterns in the areas of health, fitness, camaraderie and identified regulation. Narratives of self-acceptance and shift-work environments gave rise to potentially deleterious motivational patterns. Our findings suggest that successful transition from a residential programme to independent weight management requires a more deliberate pivot from predominantly extrinsic to intrinsic motivational approaches. Conclusion Residential programmes such as the one investigated here, should develop a deliberate transition strategy, replace weight loss targets with physical performance goals and promote sports that are appropriate for young men affected by overweight and obesity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10373-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Wilhelm Gorny
- Centre of Excellence for Soldier Performance, Singapore Armed Forces, 1 Selarang Ring Road, Block 2 #02-02, Singapore, 507087, Republic of Singapore. .,Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Republic of Singapore.
| | - Mui Cheng Low
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Republic of Singapore
| | - Andrew Arjun Sayampanathan
- Centre of Excellence for Soldier Performance, Singapore Armed Forces, 1 Selarang Ring Road, Block 2 #02-02, Singapore, 507087, Republic of Singapore
| | - Farah Shiraz
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Republic of Singapore
| | - Falk Müller-Riemenschneider
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Republic of Singapore.,Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117597, Republic of Singapore.,Digital Health Center, Berlin Institute of Health, Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Straße 2, D-10178, Berlin, Germany
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Shay LA, Kimbel KJ, Dorsey CN, Jauregui LC, Vernon SW, Kullgren JT, Green BB. Patients' Reactions to Being Offered Financial Incentives to Increase Colorectal Screening: A Qualitative Analysis. Am J Health Promot 2021; 35:421-429. [PMID: 33504161 DOI: 10.1177/0890117120987836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore financial incentives as an intervention to improve colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) adherence among traditionally disadvantaged patients who have never been screened or are overdue for screening. APPROACH We used qualitative methods to describe patients' attitudes toward the offer of incentives, plans for future screening, and additional barriers and facilitators to CRCS. SETTING Kaiser Permanente Washington (KPWA). PARTICIPANTS KPWA patients who were due or overdue for CRCS. METHOD We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 37 patients who were randomized to 1 of 2 incentives (guaranteed $10 or a lottery for $50) to complete CRCS. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a qualitative content approach. RESULTS Patients generally had positive attitudes toward both types of incentives, however, half did not recall the incentive offer at the time of the interview. Among those who recalled the offer, 95% were screened compared to only 25% among those who did not remember the offer. Most screeners stated that staying healthy was their primary motivator for screening, but many suggested that the incentive helped them prioritize and complete screening. CONCLUSIONS Incentives to complete CRCS may help motivate patients who would like to screen but have previously procrastinated. Future studies should ensure that the incentive offer is noticeable and shorten the deadline for completion of FIT screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Aubree Shay
- 12340University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sally W Vernon
- 12340University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Desai JR, Vazquez-Benitez G, Taylor G, Johnson S, Anderson J, Garrett JE, Gilmer T, Vue-Her H, Rinn S, Engel K, Schiff J, O'Connor PJ. The effects of financial incentives on diabetes prevention program attendance and weight loss among low-income patients: the We Can Prevent Diabetes cluster-randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1587. [PMID: 33087083 PMCID: PMC7580006 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09683-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Penetration and participation of real life implementation of lifestyle change programs to prevent type 2 diabetes has been challenging. This is particularly so among low income individuals in the United States. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of financial incentives on attendance and weight loss among Medicaid beneficiaries participating in the 12-month Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). METHODS This is a cluster-randomized controlled trial with two financial incentive study arms and an attention control study arm. Medicaid beneficiaries with prediabetes from 13 primary care clinics were randomly assigned to individually earned incentives (IND; 33 groups; n = 309), a hybrid of individual- and group-earned incentives (GRP; 30 groups; n = 259), and an attention control (AC; 30 groups; n = 279). Up to $520 in incentives could be earned for attaining attendance and weight loss goals over 12 months. Outcomes are percent weight loss from baseline, achieving 5% weight loss from baseline, and attending 75% of core and 75% of maintenance DPP sessions. Linear mixed models were used to examine weight change and attendance rates over the 16 weeks and 12 months. RESULTS The percent weight change at 16 weeks for the IND, GRP, and AC participants were similar, at - 2.6, - 3.1%, and - 3.4%, respectively. However, participants achieving 5% weight loss in the IND, GRP, and AC groups was 21.5, 24.0% (GRP vs AC, P < 0.05), and 15.2%. Attendance at 75% of the DPP core sessions was significantly higher among IND (60.8%, P < 0.001) and GRP (64.0%, P < 0.001) participants than among AC (38.6%) participants. Despite substantial attrition over time, attendance at 75% of the DPP maintenance sessions was also significantly higher among IND (23.0%, P < 0.001) and GRP (26.1%, P < 0.001) participants than among AC (11.0%) participants. CONCLUSIONS Financial incentives can improve the proportion of Medicaid beneficiaries attending the 12-month DPP and achieving at least 5% weight loss. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02422420 ; retrospectively registered April 21, 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay R Desai
- HealthPartners Institute, Bloomington, MN, USA. .,Minnesota Department of Health, 85 East 7th Place, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN, 55164, USA.
| | | | - Gretchen Taylor
- Minnesota Department of Health, 85 East 7th Place, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN, 55164, USA
| | - Sara Johnson
- Minnesota Department of Health, 85 East 7th Place, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN, 55164, USA
| | - Julie Anderson
- Minnesota Department of Health, 85 East 7th Place, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN, 55164, USA
| | | | - Todd Gilmer
- University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Houa Vue-Her
- Minnesota Department of Health, 85 East 7th Place, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN, 55164, USA
| | - Sarah Rinn
- Minnesota Department of Human Services, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | | | - Jeff Schiff
- Minnesota Department of Human Services, St. Paul, MN, USA
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Bloom EL, Hunt L, Tidey J, Ramsey SE. Pilot feasibility trial of dual contingency management for cigarette smoking cessation and weight maintenance among weight-concerned female smokers. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2020; 28:609-615. [PMID: 31647278 PMCID: PMC7180087 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Many women who smoke cigarettes report that concern about weight gain is a barrier to quitting. Indeed, most quitters gain weight and some attribute relapses to weight gain concern. Contingency management (CM), which refers to reinforcing a target behavior with financial incentives, has been demonstrated effective for promoting smoking abstinence and weight management independently. We conducted a pilot trial to establish the feasibility of dual CM, in which both smoking cessation and weight maintenance were incentivized, as a smoking cessation intervention for female weight-concerned smokers. Participants (N = 10) received a 12-week intervention during which they earned financial incentives for smoking abstinence, verified by breath carbon monoxide (CO) testing, and for maintaining their weight (larger incentives for gaining less than five pounds, smaller incentives for 5-10 pound gain) while abstaining from smoking. They attended an end of intervention visit at week 13 and a follow-up visit at week 26. Total compensation was up to $550 ($255 for participation independent of smoking and weight, $145 for smoking abstinence incentives, and $150 for weight maintenance incentives). Results indicated that five of the 10 participants (50%) were continuously abstinent for at least 4 weeks and received at least 2 weight maintenance incentives. Three participants (33%) were abstinent at every visit they attended from quit date through week 26; 2 of these 3 had gained more than 10 pounds by week 26. Additional formative research to test alternative incentive schedules and modalities should be conducted before CM-W is evaluated in a larger trial. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Susan E. Ramsey
- Alpert Medical School of Brown University,Rhode Island Hospital
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Michaud TL, Estabrooks PA, You W, McGuire TJ, Almeida F, Karls K, Love K, King K, Hill J, Reed J, Porter G, Su D. Sustaining the reach of a scalable weight loss intervention through financial incentives- a pragmatic, feasibility, online randomized trial protocol. Contemp Clin Trials 2020; 98:106142. [PMID: 32920241 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2020.106142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High attrition following initial enrollment in evidence-based weight loss programs is a common, challenging, and under-studied issue. A behavioral economics approach consisting of modest monetary incentives may help to engage participants beyond enrollment to close the initial attrition gap. PURPOSE To describe the methods and design of a pragmatic, online randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an incentivized, technology-facilitated weight loss program through an innovative research-practice partnership involving primary care, health promotion researchers, and a small business. METHODS This study is a four-arm (1:1:1:1) RCT that compares the efficacy of outcome-based (weight loss), process-based (weighing in), a combination of outcome- and process-based, or choice-based incentives on sustaining program reach after initial enrollment for an evidence-based weight loss program. The multicomponent weight loss program includes a website, social cognitive theory-based daily health coaching, tailored messaging delivered via email and text messaging, access to online health coaches, and objective weight assessment through a community kiosk. The study will enroll 400 individuals aged 19 and older who have a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, and have reliable access to the Internet or a smart phone. Participants will be followed for 3, 6, 9, and 12 months to assess program reach and representativeness, and continued participation after enrollment. The secondary outcomes include weight loss and program implementation costs. We will conduct participant focus groups to understand the barriers and facilitators of participation and key informant interviews focusing on clinic managers and care providers to explore the potential for future adoption and implementation of the evidence-based program. DISCUSSION This study possesses the potential to close the attrition gap after initial enrollment in a web-based digital weight loss intervention in the primary care and community settings. Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT04225234.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzeyu L Michaud
- Center for Reducing Health Disparities, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Paul A Estabrooks
- Center for Reducing Health Disparities, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Wen You
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | - Fabio Almeida
- Center for Reducing Health Disparities, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Kelly Karls
- Fontenelle clinic, Nebraska Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska, NE, USA
| | - Kenya Love
- Center for Reducing Health Disparities, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Keyonna King
- Center for Reducing Health Disparities, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jennie Hill
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jill Reed
- College of Nursing, Kearney Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Gwenndolyn Porter
- Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Dejun Su
- Center for Reducing Health Disparities, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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Brower J, LaBarge MC, White L, Mitchell MS. Examining Responsiveness to an Incentive-Based Mobile Health App: Longitudinal Observational Study. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e16797. [PMID: 32773371 PMCID: PMC7445608 DOI: 10.2196/16797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Carrot Rewards app was developed as part of a public-private partnership to reward Canadians with loyalty points for downloading the app, referring friends, completing educational health quizzes, and health-related behaviors with long-term objectives of increasing health knowledge and encouraging healthy behaviors. During the first 3 months after program rollout in British Columbia, a number of program design elements were adjusted, creating observed differences between groups of users with respect to the potential impact of program features on user engagement levels. Objective This study examines the impact of reducing reward size over time and explored the influence of other program features such as quiz timing, health intervention content, and type of reward program on user engagement with a mobile health (mHealth) app. Methods Participants in this longitudinal, nonexperimental observational study included British Columbia citizens who downloaded the app between March and July 2016. A regression methodology was used to examine the impact of changes to several program design features on quiz offer acceptance and engagement with this mHealth app. Results Our results, based on the longitudinal app use of 54,917 users (mean age 35, SD 13.2 years; 65.03% [35,647/54,917] female), indicated that the key drivers of the likelihood of continued user engagement, in order of greatest to least impact, were (1) type of rewards earned by users (eg, movies [+355%; P<.001], air travel [+210%; P<.001], and grocery [+140%; P<.001] relative to gas), (2) time delay between early offers (−64%; P<.001), (3) the content of the health intervention (eg, healthy eating [−10%; P<.001] vs exercise [+20%, P<.001] relative to health risk assessments), and (4) changes in the number of points offered. Our results demonstrate that reducing the number of points associated with a particular quiz by 10% only led to a 1% decrease in the likelihood of offer response (P<.001) and that each of the other design features had larger impacts on participant retention than did changes in the number of points. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate that this program, built around the principles of behavioral economics in the form of the ongoing awarding of a small number of reward points instantly following the completion of health interventions, was able to drive significantly higher engagement levels than those demonstrated in previous literature exploring the intersection of mHealth apps and financial incentives. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of incentive matters to user engagement; however, our results indicate that the number of points offered for these reward point–based health interventions is less important than other program design features such as the type of reward points being offered, the timing of intervention and reward offers, and the content of the health interventions in driving continued engagement by users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Brower
- Smith School of Business, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Monica C LaBarge
- Smith School of Business, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | - Marc S Mitchell
- School of Kinesiology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Adding Financial Incentives to Online Group-Based Behavioral Weight Control: An RCT. Am J Prev Med 2020; 59:237-246. [PMID: 32446752 PMCID: PMC8510645 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2020.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Internet-delivered behavioral weight control is promising for expanding the reach and availability of weight management, but online programs produce lower weight losses than typically achieved in person. Financial incentives have been shown to increase weight losses. This study examined whether adding financial incentives for self-monitoring and achieving target weight losses increases weight losses attained in a fully online, group-based behavioral weight management program compared with the same program alone. STUDY DESIGN This study was an RCT. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Adults with overweight and obesity (n=418; 91% female; 28% minority) were recruited from 2 clinical centers. INTERVENTION The intervention was a 24-session online group-based behavioral weight control program with weekly synchronous chat sessions (Internet-only) or the same program with weekly financial incentives for self-monitoring body weight and dietary intake daily and for achieving target weight losses at 2 and 6 months (Internet + incentives). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES This study measured weight loss at 6 months and treatment engagement (attendance, self-monitoring of body weight, dietary intake, and physical activity). Data were collected between February 2016 and August 2018, and analyses were completed in 2019. RESULTS Participants randomized to the Internet + incentives group lost more weight (-6.4 [SD=5.5] kg) than those in the Internet-only group (-4.7 [SD=6.6] kg; p<0.01). Further, a higher proportion of the Internet + incentives group achieved ≥5% weight loss (55%) than those in the Internet-only group (40%; p<0.05). Treatment engagement was higher in the Internet + incentives condition, with greater self-monitoring of behaviors targeted by incentives, as well as higher rates of behaviors not targeted and higher self-reported physical activity. Study retention was higher among those in the Internet + incentives condition (91%) than those in the Internet-only condition (81%; p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS Adding financial incentives to a program delivered fully online increases weight losses compared with the program alone and can achieve weight losses comparable to in-person programs, offering potential for substantial geographic reach. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT02688621.
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Abstract
Obesity has become a public health crisis associated with serious health problems. It is a problem that is, by and large, remarkably simple: you gain weight as a result of consuming more calories than you burn. Applied behavior analysis and behavior therapy have produced a range of methods and technologies well-suited to address the problems of overeating and physical inactivity. These methods and technologies, and the conceptual foundations underpinning them, are the focus of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P Normand
- Department of Psychology, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA.
| | - Joshua Logan Gibson
- Department of Psychology, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA
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Rounds T, Crane M, Harvey J. The Impact of Incentives on Weight Control in Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Mens Health 2020; 14:1557988319895147. [PMID: 32106757 PMCID: PMC7052474 DOI: 10.1177/1557988319895147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Overweight and obese men were recruited to a 6-month, randomized controlled
weight loss trial, which compared the Gutbusters weight loss program alone to
the Gutbusters program with incentives for successful weight loss. The
intervention was delivered primarily online, with weekly in-person weight
collections. Gutbusters was designed using a template from the REFIT
intervention and encouraged participants (N = 102, 47.0 ± 12.3
years, 32.5 kg/m2) to make six 100-calorie changes to their typical
daily diet for a total of 42 changes per week. Weight loss was significantly
greater in the Gutbusters+Incentive group compared to the Gutbusters alone group
at both 12 and 24 weeks (p’s = < .01). The
Gutbusters+Incentive group’s a mean weight loss was 9.9 pounds at 12 weeks (95%
CI: 6.9, 12.9) and 8.4 pounds at 24 weeks (95% CI: 3.9, 13.0). The Gutbusters
alone group mean weight loss was 3.7 pounds at 12 weeks (95% CI: –.06, 7.5) and
3.4 pounds at 24 weeks (95% CI: –2.2, 9.0). This study adds to the literature of
behavioral weight programs that are designed for men. Unlike the majority of
previous male weight loss interventions, which were designed with an
intervention comparison to a no treatment or waitlist control, Gutbusters was
implemented as a comparative effectiveness trial, which will help bolster the
evidence base for real-world application.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jean Harvey
- The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
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Adams MA, Hurley JC, Phillips CB, Todd M, Angadi SS, Berardi V, Hovell MF, Hooker S. Rationale, design, and baseline characteristics of WalkIT Arizona: A factorial randomized trial testing adaptive goals and financial reinforcement to increase walking across higher and lower walkable neighborhoods. Contemp Clin Trials 2019; 81:87-101. [PMID: 31063868 PMCID: PMC6544173 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Little change over the decades has been seen in adults meeting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guidelines. Numerous individual-level interventions to increase MVPA have been designed, mostly static interventions without consideration for neighborhood context. Recent technologies make adaptive interventions for MVPA feasible. Unlike static interventions, adaptive intervention components (e.g., goal setting) adjust frequently to an individual's performance. Such technologies also allow for more precise delivery of "smaller, sooner incentives" that may result in greater MVPA than "larger, later incentives". Combined, these factors could enhance MVPA adoption. Additionally, a central tenet of ecological models is that MVPA is sensitive to neighborhood environment design; lower-walkable neighborhoods constrain MVPA adoption and maintenance, limiting the effects of individual-level interventions. Higher-walkable neighborhoods are hypothesized to enhance MVPA interventions. Few prospective studies have addressed this premise. This report describes the rationale, design, intervention components, and baseline sample of a study testing individual-level adaptive goal-setting and incentive interventions for MVPA adoption and maintenance over 2 years among adults from neighborhoods known to vary in neighborhood walkability. We scaled these evidenced-based interventions and tested them against static-goal-setting and delayed-incentive comparisons in a 2 × 2 factorial randomized trial to increase MVPA among 512 healthy insufficiently-active adults. Participants (64.3% female, M age = 45.5 ± 9.1 years, M BMI = 33.9 ± 7.3 kg/m2, 18.8% Hispanic, 84.0% White) were recruited from May 2016 to May 2018 from block groups ranked on GIS-measured neighborhood walkability and socioeconomic status (SES) and classified into four neighborhood types: "high walkable/high SES," "high walkable/low SES," "low walkable/high SES," and "low walkable/low SES." Results from this ongoing study will provide evidence for some of the central research questions of ecological models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc A Adams
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 425 N. 5(th) Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States of America.
| | - Jane C Hurley
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 425 N. 5(th) Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States of America
| | - Christine B Phillips
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 425 N. 5(th) Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States of America
| | - Michael Todd
- College of Nursing and Health Innovations, Arizona State University, 500 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States of America
| | - Siddhartha S Angadi
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 425 N. 5(th) Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States of America
| | - Vincent Berardi
- Department of Psychology, Crean School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866, United States of America
| | - Melbourne F Hovell
- College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-4124, United States of America
| | - Steven Hooker
- College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-4124, United States of America
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Mitchell MS, Orstad SL, Biswas A, Oh PI, Jay M, Pakosh MT, Faulkner G. Financial incentives for physical activity in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med 2019; 54:1259-1268. [DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-100633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
ObjectiveThe use of financial incentives to promote physical activity (PA) has grown in popularity due in part to technological advances that make it easier to track and reward PA. The purpose of this study was to update the evidence on the effects of incentives on PA in adults.Data sourcesMedline, PubMed, Embase, PsychINFO, CCTR, CINAHL and COCH.Eligibility criteriaRandomised controlled trials (RCT) published between 2012 and May 2018 examining the impact of incentives on PA.DesignA simple count of studies with positive and null effects (‘vote counting’) was conducted. Random-effects meta-analyses were also undertaken for studies reporting steps per day for intervention and post-intervention periods.Results23 studies involving 6074 participants were included (64.42% female, mean age = 41.20 years). 20 out of 22 studies reported positive intervention effects and four out of 18 reported post-intervention (after incentives withdrawn) benefits. Among the 12 of 23 studies included in the meta-analysis, incentives were associated with increased mean daily step counts during the intervention period (pooled mean difference (MD), 607.1; 95% CI: 422.1 to 792.1). Among the nine of 12 studies with post-intervention daily step count data incentives were associated with increased mean daily step counts (pooled MD, 513.8; 95% CI:312.7 to 714.9).ConclusionDemonstrating rising interest in financial incentives, 23 RCTs were identified. Modest incentives ($1.40 US/day) increased PA for interventions of short and long durations and after incentives were removed, though post-intervention ‘vote counting’ and pooled results did not align. Nonetheless, and contrary to what has been previously reported, these findings suggest a short-term incentive ‘dose’ may promote sustained PA.
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Jay M, Orstad SL, Wali S, Wylie-Rosett J, Tseng CH, Sweat V, Wittleder S, Shu SB, Goldstein NJ, Ladapo JA. Goal-directed versus outcome-based financial incentives for weight loss among low-income patients with obesity: rationale and design of the Financial Incentives foR Weight Reduction (FIReWoRk) randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e025278. [PMID: 30962231 PMCID: PMC6500238 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Obesity is a major public health challenge and exacerbates economic disparities through employment discrimination and increased personal health expenditures. Financial incentives for weight management may intensify individuals' utilisation of evidence-based behavioural strategies while addressing obesity-related economic disparities in low-income populations. Trials have focused on testing incentives contingent on achieving weight loss outcomes. However, based on social cognitive and self-determination theories, providing incentives for achieving intermediate behavioural goals may be more sustainable than incentivising outcomes if they enhance an individual's skills and self-efficacy for maintaining long-term weight loss. The objective of this paper is to describe the rationale and design of the Financial Incentives foR Weight Reduction study, a randomised controlled trial to test the comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of two financial incentive strategies for weight loss (goal directed vs outcome based) among low-income adults with obesity, as well as compared with the provision of health behaviour change resources alone. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We are recruiting 795 adults, aged 18-70 years with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, from three primary care clinics serving residents of socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods in New York City and Los Angeles. All participants receive a 1-year commercial weight loss programme membership, self-monitoring tools (bathroom scale, food journal and Fitbit Alta HR), health education and monthly check-in visits. In addition to these resources, those in the two intervention groups can earn up to $750 over 6 months for: (1) participating in an intensive weight management programme, self-monitoring weight and diet and meeting physical activity guidelines (goal-directed arm); or (2) a ≥1.5% to ≥5% reduction in baseline weight (outcome-based arm). To maximise incentive efficacy, we incorporate concepts from behavioural economics, including immediacy of payments and framing feedback to elicit regret aversion. We will use generalised mixed effect models for repeated measures to examine intervention effects on weight at 6, 9 and 12 months. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Human research protection committees at New York University School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) David Geffen School of Medicine and Olive-View-UCLA Medical Center granted ethics approval. We will disseminate the results of this research via peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and meetings with stakeholders. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03157713.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Jay
- Departments of Medicine and Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Stephanie L Orstad
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Soma Wali
- Department of Medicine, Olive View-University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Sylmar, California, USA
| | - Judith Wylie-Rosett
- Division of Health Promotion and Nutrition Research, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Chi-Hong Tseng
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Victoria Sweat
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sandra Wittleder
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Suzanne B Shu
- Anderson School of Management at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Noah J Goldstein
- Anderson School of Management at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Joseph A Ladapo
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Wright DR, Saelens BE, Fontes A, Lavelle TA. Assessment of Parents' Preferences for Incentives to Promote Engagement in Family-Based Childhood Obesity Treatment. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e191490. [PMID: 30924902 PMCID: PMC6450425 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.1490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance Family-based treatment (FBT) is recommended for childhood obesity, but even when sought, attrition is high. Extrinsic incentives, which have been effective for improving adult health, could improve FBT engagement. Objective To assess parents' preferences for FBT incentives. Design, Setting, and Participants Survey study of parents of children aged 6 to 17 years with obesity (body mass index in ≥95th percentile for age and sex). Parents' preferences for FBT incentive program attributes were assessed in a discrete choice experiment conducted using a nationally representative, web-based survey in March 2018. Attributes included (1) the monetary value of the incentive, (2) the payment structure, (3) the goal being incentivized, and (4) the person(s) being incentivized. A fractional factorial design was used to create a set of profiles representing hypothetical FBT incentives. Parents were presented with 10 pairs of profiles and asked which would most motivate them in FBT. Parents were also asked about preferences between a small, guaranteed incentive and a lottery for a large incentive. Analyses used a hierarchical Bayesian model and linear regressions. Main Outcomes and Measures Parents' preference for different incentive program attributes and levels. Results The nationally representative survey had a 41.4% eligibility rate (n = 339) and a 89.7% completion rate (n = 304). A total of 53.3% of respondents (weighted percentage) were non-Hispanic white, 42.6% had an annual household income less than $50 000, and 28.3% had a bachelor's degree. Parents preferred higher incentives, although they were willing to accept lower-value incentives if both the parent and the child (vs the child alone) were required to meet the goal (mean difference [MD], -$108; 95% CI, -$132 to -$84), if the incentive used a gain-framed vs loss-framed payment structure (MD, -$72; 95% CI, -$85 to -$59), and if physical activity goals were incentivized over weight loss (MD, -$63; 95% CI, -$82 to -$44) or dietary monitoring (MD, -$5; 95% CI, -$1 to $28). Only 20.6% of parents preferred a lottery over a guaranteed payment. Preferences did not vary among demographic or health subgroups. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, parent-stated preferences did not align with FBT best practices or behavioral economic theory. A randomized clinical trial could examine whether aligning incentives with preferences or best practices would maximize FBT engagement and behavior change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davene R. Wright
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Brian E. Saelens
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
| | - Angela Fontes
- NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Tara A. Lavelle
- Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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Cassidy RN, Kurti AN. Behavioral Economic Research in Addiction as an Area of Growth for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior. BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2018; 18:333-339. [PMID: 30574540 PMCID: PMC6296815 DOI: 10.1037/bar0000105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral economics, a synthesis of the experimental analysis of behavior (EAB) and economics, seeks to determine the relative value of reinforcers as a function of various environmental constraints. Early animal and human studies often focused on drug reinforcement, and this has continued to the present. In particular, behavioral economic analyses of human and animal behavior in relation to nicotine and cigarette smoking have contributed to a greater understanding of this behavior, and to a greater reliance on these methods in the field of smoking cessation treatment, tobacco regulatory science and tobacco control. In this commentary, we briefly describe the history of behavioral economics in the context of EAB methods, the particular contribution of these methods to understanding cigarette smoking and the advance of tobacco regulation, as well as opportunities for growth and remaining challenges in this area. As behavioral economics continues to stimulate research and inform policy, we propose that the underlying elements of a rigorous analytic approach to understanding behavior are key contributors to the fruitfulness of this approach.
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Pandya A, Asch DA, Volpp KG, Sy S, Troxel AB, Zhu J, Weinstein MC, Rosenthal MB, Gaziano TA. Cost-effectiveness of Financial Incentives for Patients and Physicians to Manage Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels. JAMA Netw Open 2018; 1:e182008. [PMID: 30646152 PMCID: PMC6324619 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Financial incentives shared between physicians and patients were shown to significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in a randomized clinical trial, but it is not known whether these health benefits are worth the added incentive and utilization costs required to achieve them. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of financial incentives on LDL-C level control. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In this economic evaluation, a previously validated microsimulation computer model was parameterized using individual-level data from the randomized clinical trial on financial incentives, National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys for model population inputs, and other published sources. The study was conducted from April 15, 2016, to March 29, 2018. INTERVENTIONS The following interventions were used: (1) usual care, (2) trial control strategy (increased cholesterol level monitoring and use of electronic pill bottles), (3) financial incentives for physicians, (4) financial incentives for patients, and (5) incentives shared between physicians and patients. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Discounted costs (2017 US dollars), lifetime cardiovascular disease risk, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). RESULTS The model population (n = 1 000 000 [30.7% women]) had similar mean (SD) age (61.5 [11.9] years) and LDL-C level (153.9 mg/dL) as the observed trial population (n = 1503 [42.7% women]; age, 62.0 [8.7] years; and LDL-C level, 160.6 mg/dL). Using base-case assumptions (including a 10-year waning period of LDL-C level reductions), the usual-care strategy was dominated (higher costs and lower QALYs) by all other strategies. Strategies for physician- or patient-only incentives were dominated by the shared-incentives strategy, which had an ICER of $60 000/QALY compared with the trial control strategy. In a sensitivity analysis regarding the duration of LDL-C level reductions, the shared-incentives strategy remained cost-effective (ICERs <$100 000/QALY and <$150 000/QALY) for scenarios with LDL-C level reductions lasting, with linear waning, at least 7 and 5 years, respectively. In the 1-way sensitivity analysis for the time horizon of the analysis, the ICER of the shared-incentives strategy exceeded $100 000/QALY at 11 years and $150 000/QALY at 8 years. In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, the shared-incentives intervention was cost-effective in 69% to 77% of iterations using cost-effectiveness thresholds of $100 000 to $150 000/QALY. Cost-effectiveness results were also sensitive to the duration of intervention costs. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study suggests that the financial incentives shared between patients and physicians for LDL-C level control meet conventional standards of cost-effectiveness, but these results appeared to be sensitive to assumptions about the durations of LDL-C level reductions and years of intervention costs included, as well as to the choice of time horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankur Pandya
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David A. Asch
- Department of Information, Decisions and Operations, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Department of Health Care Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Cpl Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Kevin G. Volpp
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Department of Health Care Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Cpl Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Stephen Sy
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrea B. Troxel
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York
| | - Jingsan Zhu
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Milton C. Weinstein
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Meredith B. Rosenthal
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Thomas A. Gaziano
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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VanEpps EM, Troxel AB, Villamil E, Saulsgiver KA, Zhu J, Chin JY, Matson J, Anarella J, Roohan P, Gesten F, Volpp KG. Effect of Process- and Outcome-Based Financial Incentives on Weight Loss Among Prediabetic New York Medicaid Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Am J Health Promot 2018; 33:372-380. [PMID: 30021451 DOI: 10.1177/0890117118783594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine whether different financial incentives are effective in promoting weight loss among prediabetic Medicaid recipients. DESIGN Four-group, multicenter, randomized clinical trial. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Medicaid managed care enrollees residing in New York, aged 18 to 64 years, and diagnosed as prediabetic or high risk for diabetes (N = 703). INTERVENTION In a 16-week program, participants were randomly assigned to one of 4 arms: (1) control (no incentives), (2) process incentives for attending weekly Diabetes Prevention Program sessions, (3) outcome incentives for achieving weekly weight loss goals, and (4) combined process and outcome incentives. MEASURES Weight loss over a 16-week period; proportion who completed educational sessions; proportion who met weight loss goals. ANALYSIS AND RESULTS No intervention arm achieved greater reduction in weight than control (outcome incentive -6.6 lb [-9.1 to -4.1 lb], process incentive -7.3 lb [-9.5 to -5.1 lb], combined incentive -5.8 lb [-8.8 to -2.8 lb], control -7.9 lb [-11.1 to -4.7 lb]; all P > .29). Session attendance in the process incentive arm (50%) was significantly higher than control (31%; P < .0001) and combined incentive arms (28%; P < .0001), but not significantly higher than the outcome incentive arm (38%). CONCLUSION Process incentives increased session attendance, but when combined at half strength with outcome incentives did not achieve that effect. There were no significant effects of either process or outcomes incentives on weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M VanEpps
- 1 David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Andrea B Troxel
- 2 Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Kathryn A Saulsgiver
- 4 Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,5 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,6 BetterUp, San Franscisco, CA, USA
| | - Jingsan Zhu
- 4 Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jo-Yu Chin
- 3 New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Foster Gesten
- 3 New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Kevin G Volpp
- 4 Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,9 Department of Health Care Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,10 Departments of Medicine and Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,11 Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Ananthapavan J, Peterson A, Sacks G. Paying people to lose weight: the effectiveness of financial incentives provided by health insurers for the prevention and management of overweight and obesity - a systematic review. Obes Rev 2018; 19:605-613. [PMID: 29266677 DOI: 10.1111/obr.12657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Curbing the obesity epidemic is likely to require a suite of interventions targeting the obesogenic environment as well as individual behaviour. Evidence suggests that the effectiveness of behaviour modification programmes can be enhanced by financial incentives that immediately reward weight loss behaviour. This systematic review investigated the effectiveness of incentives with a focus on assessing the relative effectiveness of incentives that target different behaviours as well as factors of importance when implementing these programmes in real-world settings (health insurer settings). A narrative review of the academic and grey literature including a variety of study designs was undertaken. Twenty studies met inclusion criteria and were assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Results suggest that incentivizing weight loss is effective in the short term while the incentives are in place. There are various incentive designs, and although the relative effectiveness of each of these on weight loss is not clear, it appears that positive incentives increase the uptake into programmes and may reduce dropouts. As with other weight loss initiatives, there is a need to explore ways to maintain weight loss in the longer term - incentives for weight maintenance could play a role.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ananthapavan
- Deakin University, Geelong, Australia, Deakin Health Economics, Centre for Population Health Research.,Deakin University, Geelong, Australia, Global Obesity Centre, Centre for Population Health Research
| | - A Peterson
- Deakin University, Geelong, Australia, Deakin Health Economics, Centre for Population Health Research
| | - G Sacks
- Deakin University, Geelong, Australia, Global Obesity Centre, Centre for Population Health Research
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McGill B, O'Hara BJ, Bauman A, Grunseit AC, Phongsavan P. Are Financial Incentives for Lifestyle Behavior Change Informed or Inspired by Behavioral Economics? A Mapping Review. Am J Health Promot 2018; 33:131-141. [PMID: 29699412 DOI: 10.1177/0890117118770837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the behavioral economics (BE) conceptual underpinnings of lifestyle financial incentive (FI) interventions. DATA SOURCE A mapping review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted by searching electronic databases. STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA Inclusion criteria were real-world FI interventions explicitly mentioning BE, targeting individuals, or populations with lifestyle-related behavioral outcomes. Exclusion criteria were hypothetical studies, health professional focus, clinically oriented interventions. DATA EXTRACTION Study characteristics were tabulated according to purpose, categorization of BE concepts and FI types, design, outcome measures, study quality, and findings. DATA SYNTHESIS AND ANALYSIS Financial incentives were categorized according to type and payment structure. Behavioral economics concepts explicitly used in the intervention design were grouped based on common patterns of thinking. The interplay between FI types, BE concepts, and outcome was assessed. RESULTS Seventeen studies were identified from 1452 unique records. Analysis showed 76.5% (n = 13) of studies explicitly incorporated BE concepts. Six studies provided clear theoretical justification for the inclusion of BE. No pattern in the type of FI and BE concepts used was apparent. CONCLUSIONS Not all FI interventions claiming BE inclusion did so. For interventions that explicitly included BE, the degree to which this was portrayed and woven into the design varied. This review identified BE concepts common to FI interventions, a first step in providing emergent and pragmatic information to public health and health promotion program planners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwyn McGill
- 1 Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,2 Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,3 The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Blythe J O'Hara
- 1 Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,2 Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adrian Bauman
- 1 Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,2 Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,3 The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anne C Grunseit
- 1 Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,2 Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,3 The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Philayrath Phongsavan
- 1 Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,2 Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
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Weight Loss Associated With Employee Income in an Incentivized Employee Wellness Program. J Occup Environ Med 2018; 58:1181-1184. [PMID: 27930475 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000000893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined the relationship between the type of incentivized wellness program and employee weight loss and the effects of participant income. METHODS We retrospectively examined employees who participated in one of six weight loss wellness programs, which were categorized for the present analysis: reweigh/body mass index, Coaching, and Weight Watchers/Meal Replacement. Those who participated were eligible for a $350/year insurance premium discount. RESULTS Employees in the low-income category of $45K or less participated at a higher rate, however, did not lose as much weight as those participants in the higher income categories of $70K or more. We found a positive association with weight loss in two of the categories, reweigh/body mass index, and Weight Watchers/Meal Replacement programs. CONCLUSION Wellness programs have a significant impact on employee weight loss, but this relationship may vary across the income level of participants.
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Ziser K, Resmark G, Giel KE, Becker S, Stuber F, Zipfel S, Junne F. The effectiveness of contingency management in the treatment of patients with anorexia nervosa: A systematic review. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2018; 26:379-393. [PMID: 29577487 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Contingency management in stipulating weight gain is routinely used in the treatment of anorexia nervosa, however, empirical investigations concerning its effectiveness have been scarce. This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. Of N = 973 hits, 42 full-texts were included in the qualitative synthesis (11 theoretical texts, 19 case reports, 12 descriptive, cohort, and controlled trials). A central topic in the included publications concerns the enhancement of patients' autonomy through participation in the contingency management process. This heightened autonomy is achieved by using contingency contracts. Positive short-term effects on weight gain were shown, whereas follow-up results were heterogeneous. Although contingency contracts are widely used in clinical practice, our systematic review shows that empirical evidence on underlying mechanisms and efficacy is still scarce. Using an explicit treatment contract can enhance patients' motivation, compliance, and autonomy. Clinical practice should see further development including innovative motivation enhancing and conflict dissolving techniques in addressing the pronounced ambivalence often shown by patients with anorexia nervosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Ziser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Gaby Resmark
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Katrin Elisabeth Giel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Sandra Becker
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Felicitas Stuber
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Stephan Zipfel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Florian Junne
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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Leahey TM, LaRose JG, Mitchell MS, Gilder CM, Wing RR. Small Incentives Improve Weight Loss in Women From Disadvantaged Backgrounds. Am J Prev Med 2018; 54:e41-e47. [PMID: 29338951 PMCID: PMC5818321 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Women from lower-income backgrounds have the highest rates of obesity. Thus, effective programs for this high-risk population are urgently needed. Evidence suggests that adding financial incentives to treatment helps to engage and promote health behavior change in lower-income populations; however, this has never been tested in women for obesity treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine whether adding small financial incentives to Internet weight loss treatment yields better weight loss outcomes in women from lower-income backgrounds compared with the same treatment without incentives. Weight losses in lower-versus higher-income women were also compared. METHODS Data were pooled from two randomized trials in which women (N=264) received either Internet behavioral weight loss treatment (IBWL) or IBWL plus incentives (IBWL+$). Weight was objectively assessed. Data were collected and analyzed from 2011 to 2017. RESULTS Women from lower-income backgrounds had significantly better weight loss outcomes in IBWL+$ compared with IBWL alone (6.4 [SD=4.9%] vs 2.6 [SD=4.6%], p=0.01). Moreover, a greater percentage achieved a ≥5% weight loss in IBWL+$ vs IBWL alone (52.6% vs 38.1%, p=0.01). Interestingly, the comparison between lower-income versus higher-income groups showed that, in IBWL alone, women with lower income achieved significantly poorer weight losses (3.4 [SD=4.2%] vs 4.9 [SD=4.0%], p=0.03). By contrast, in IBWL+$, weight loss outcomes did not differ by income status (5.0 [SD=5.6%] vs 5.3 [SD=3.8%], p=0.80), and a similar percentage of lower- versus higher-income women achieved a ≥5% weight loss (52.6% vs 53.8%, p=0.93). CONCLUSIONS An Internet behavioral weight loss program plus financial incentives may be an effective strategy to promote excellent weight losses in women with lower income, thereby enhancing equity in treatment outcomes in a vulnerable, high-risk population. These data also provide important evidence to support federally funded incentive initiatives for lower-income, underserved populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tricia M Leahey
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.
| | - Jessica Gokee LaRose
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Marc S Mitchell
- Department of Kinesiology, Western University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carnisha M Gilder
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Rena R Wing
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
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McGill B, O'Hara BJ, Grunseit AC, Bauman A, Osborne D, Lawler L, Phongsavan P. Acceptability of financial incentives for maintenance of weight loss in mid-older adults: a mixed methods study. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:244. [PMID: 29439689 PMCID: PMC5811982 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5136-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health insurers worldwide implement financial incentive schemes to encourage health-related behaviours, including to facilitate weight loss. The maintenance of weight loss is a public health challenge, and as non-communicable diseases become more prevalent with increasing age, mid-older adults could benefit from programs which motivate weight loss maintenance. However, little is understood about their perceptions of using financial incentives to maintain weight loss. METHODS We used mixed methods to explore the attitudes and views of participants who had completed an Australian weight loss and lifestyle modification program offered to overweight and obese health insurance members with weight-related chronic diseases, about the acceptability and usefulness of different types of financial incentives to support weight loss maintenance. An online survey was completed by 130 respondents (mean age = 64 years); and a further 28 participants (mean age = 65 years) attended six focus groups. RESULTS Both independent samples of participants supported a formalised maintenance program. Online survey respondents reported that non-cash (85.2%) and cash (77%) incentives would be potentially motivating; but only 40.5% reported that deposit contracts would motivate weight loss maintenance. Results of in-depth discussions found overall low support for any type of financial incentive, but particularly deposit contracts and lotteries. Some participants expressed that improved health was of more value than a monetary incentive and that they felt personally responsible for their own health, which was at odds with the idea of financial incentives. Others suggested ongoing program and peer support as potentially useful for weight loss maintenance. CONCLUSIONS If financial incentives are considered for mid-older Australian adults in the health insurance setting, program planners will need to balance the discordance between participant beliefs about the individual responsibility for health and their desire for external supports to motivate and sustain weight loss maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwyn McGill
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. .,Charles Perkins Centre, John Hopkins Drive, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. .,The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Blythe J O'Hara
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, John Hopkins Drive, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Anne C Grunseit
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, John Hopkins Drive, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.,The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Adrian Bauman
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, John Hopkins Drive, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.,The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Dale Osborne
- Osborne Research Services, Rozelle, NSW, 2039, Australia
| | - Luke Lawler
- Prima Health Solutions, PO Box 7468, Warringah Mall, NSW, 2100, Australia
| | - Philayrath Phongsavan
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, John Hopkins Drive, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
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Kullgren JT, Hafez D, Fedewa A, Heisler M. A Scoping Review of Behavioral Economic Interventions for Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Curr Diab Rep 2017; 17:73. [PMID: 28755061 PMCID: PMC5619648 DOI: 10.1007/s11892-017-0894-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this paper was to review studies of behavioral economic interventions (financial incentives, choice architecture modifications, or commitment devices) to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among at-risk patients or improve self-management among patients with T2DM. RECENT FINDINGS We found 15 studies that used varied study designs and outcomes to test behavioral economic interventions in clinical, workplace, or health plan settings. Of four studies that focused on prevention of T2DM, two found that financial incentives increased weight loss and completion of a fasting blood glucose test, and two choice architecture modifications had mixed effects in encouraging completion of tests to screen for T2DM. Of 11 studies that focused on improving self-management of T2DM, four of six tests of financial incentives demonstrated increased engagement in recommended care processes or improved biometric measures, and three of five tests of choice architecture modifications found improvements in self-management behaviors. Though few studies have tested behavioral economic interventions for prevention or treatment of T2DM, those that have suggested such approaches have the potential to improve patient behaviors and such approaches should be tested more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey T Kullgren
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, PO Box 130170, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 3101 Taubman Center, SPC 5368, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Dina Hafez
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, PO Box 130170, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 3101 Taubman Center, SPC 5368, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Road, Building 10, Room G016, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Allison Fedewa
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Road, Building 10, Room G016, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Michele Heisler
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, PO Box 130170, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 3101 Taubman Center, SPC 5368, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA
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Pope L, Garnett B, Dibble M. Engaging Adolescents to Inform the Development of a Mobile Gaming App to Incentivize Physical Activity. JMIR Res Protoc 2017; 6:e161. [PMID: 28851676 PMCID: PMC5596300 DOI: 10.2196/resprot.8113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Involving youth in the development of a mobile game designed to increase physical activity may increase relevancy and adoption. Objective To share the development process used to create a gaming app aimed at incentivizing physical activity in high school students. Methods Five focus groups were conducted with high school students (N=50) to understand gaming behaviors. A subset of students from the focus groups chose to complete a Web-based survey (N=10). Four different versions of gaming artwork and concept design based on student input were pilot tested (N=35), and group consensus building determined the direction of the game. The 4 game versions differed in their artwork style and gaming concept with some requiring competition versus cooperation, or being more individual versus team based. Group consensus building meant that all artwork and game concept options were displayed at the front of a classroom. Students could then vote for their top artwork and concept choices by putting stickers on the top 1 or 2 artwork and concept options that they liked best. Once all votes were cast, investigators discussed the voting results with students, and brainstormed ways to incorporate popular aspects of the 3 “losing” artwork and game concepts into the winning ideas. Results Focus group transcripts were analyzed for common themes. Artwork and gaming concept-voting data was tallied at the time of voting to share with students in real time. Focus groups and survey results revealed important themes for a successful gaming app: (1) competition, (2) balanced in-game rewards, (3) accessibility, and (4) aesthetic features. Consensus voting indicated the popularity of a collaborative competitive content design (35/66, 53%) and playful art (27/71, 38%). Conclusions To ensure saliency and effectiveness of game-based physical activity interventions, youth need to be included in design and implementation. Furthermore, the unique preferences and social constructs of high school students need to be considered during intervention development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizzy Pope
- University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
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Yoo BK, Hasebe T, Kim M, Sasaki T, Styne DM. Pilot survey of a novel incentive to promote healthy behavior among school children and their parents. Prev Med Rep 2017; 6:286-293. [PMID: 28409091 PMCID: PMC5388936 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2017.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Reversing the obesity epidemic has been a persistent global public health challenge, particularly among low socioeconomic status populations and racial/ethnic minorities. We developed a novel concept of community-based incentives to approach this problem in such communities. Applying this concept, we proposed a school intervention to promote obesity prevention in the U.S. We conducted a pilot survey to explore attitudes towards this future intervention. The survey was collected as a nonprobability sample (N = 137 school-aged children (5-12 years)) in northern California in July 2013. We implemented multivariable logistic regression analyses where the dependent variable indicated the intention to participate in the future intervention. The covariates included the body mass index (BMI) based weight categories, demographics, and others. We found that the future intervention is expected to motivate generally-high-risk populations (such as children and parents who have never joined a past health-improvement program compared to those who have completed a past health-improvement program (the odds-ratio (OR) = 5.84, p < 0.05) and children with an obese/overweight parent (OR = 2.72, p < 0.05 compared to those without one)) to participate in future obesity-prevention activities. Our analyses also showed that some subgroups of high-risk populations, such as Hispanic children (OR = 0.27, p < 0.05) and children eligible for a free or reduced price meal program (OR = 0.37, p < 0.06), remain difficult to reach and need an intensive outreach activity for the future intervention. The survey indicated high interest in the future school intervention among high-risk parents who have never joined a past health-improvement program or are obese/overweight. These findings will help design and implement a future intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung-Kwang Yoo
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, One Shields Ave., Medical Sciences 1C, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Takuya Hasebe
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, One Shields Ave., Medical Sciences 1C, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Minchul Kim
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, One Shields Ave., Medical Sciences 1C, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - Dennis M. Styne
- Yocha Dehe Endowed Chair in Pediatric Endocrinology, Director of the Newborn Screening Program, University of California, Davis Children's Hospital, University of California, Davis, CA, 2521 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Barte JCM, Wendel-Vos GCW. A Systematic Review of Financial Incentives for Physical Activity: The Effects on Physical Activity and Related Outcomes. Behav Med 2017; 43:79-90. [PMID: 26431076 DOI: 10.1080/08964289.2015.1074880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this review is to give an overview of the available evidence on the effects of financial incentives to stimulate physical activity. Therefore, a systematic literature search was performed for randomized trials that investigate the effects of physical-activity-related financial incentives for individuals. Twelve studies with unconditional incentives (eg, free membership sport facility) and conditional incentives (ie, rewards for reaching physical-activity goals) related to physical activity were selected. Selected outcomes were physical activity, sedentary behavior, fitness, and weight. Results show that unconditional incentives do not affect physical activity or the other selected outcomes. For rewards, some positive effects were found and especially for rewards provided for physical-activity behavior instead of attendance. In conclusion, rewards seem to have positive effects on physical activity, while unconditional incentives seem to have no effect. However, it should be kept in mind that the long-term effects of financial incentives are still unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen C M Barte
- a Center for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services , National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , Bilthoven , the Netherlands.,b Behavioural Science Institute , Radboud University , Nijmegen , the Netherlands
| | - G C Wanda Wendel-Vos
- a Center for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services , National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , Bilthoven , the Netherlands
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Adams MA, Hurley JC, Todd M, Bhuiyan N, Jarrett CL, Tucker WJ, Hollingshead KE, Angadi SS. Adaptive goal setting and financial incentives: a 2 × 2 factorial randomized controlled trial to increase adults' physical activity. BMC Public Health 2017; 17:286. [PMID: 28356097 PMCID: PMC5372290 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4197-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Emerging interventions that rely on and harness variability in behavior to adapt to individual performance over time may outperform interventions that prescribe static goals (e.g., 10,000 steps/day). The purpose of this factorial trial was to compare adaptive vs. static goal setting and immediate vs. delayed, non-contingent financial rewards for increasing free-living physical activity (PA). Methods A 4-month 2 × 2 factorial randomized controlled trial tested main effects for goal setting (adaptive vs. static goals) and rewards (immediate vs. delayed) and interactions between factors to increase steps/day as measured by a Fitbit Zip. Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) minutes/day was examined as a secondary outcome. Results Participants (N = 96) were mainly female (77%), aged 41 ± 9.5 years, and all were insufficiently active and overweight/obese (mean BMI = 34.1 ± 6.2). Participants across all groups increased by 2389 steps/day on average from baseline to intervention phase (p < .001). Participants receiving static goals showed a stronger increase in steps per day from baseline phase to intervention phase (2630 steps/day) than those receiving adaptive goals (2149 steps/day; difference = 482 steps/day, p = .095). Participants receiving immediate rewards showed stronger improvement (2762 step/day increase) from baseline to intervention phase than those receiving delayed rewards (2016 steps/day increase; difference = 746 steps/day, p = .009). However, the adaptive goals group showed a slower decrease in steps/day from the beginning of the intervention phase to the end of the intervention phase (i.e. less than half the rate) compared to the static goals group (−7.7 steps vs. -18.3 steps each day; difference = 10.7 steps/day, p < .001) resulting in better improvements for the adaptive goals group by study end. Rate of change over the intervention phase did not differ between reward groups. Significant goal phase x goal setting x reward interactions were observed. Conclusions Adaptive goals outperformed static goals (i.e., 10,000 steps) over a 4-month period. Small immediate rewards outperformed larger, delayed rewards. Adaptive goals with either immediate or delayed rewards should be preferred for promoting PA. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02053259 registered prospectively on January 31, 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc A Adams
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 425 North 5th Street (MC9020), Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA. .,Global Institute of Sustainability (GIOS), Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA.
| | - Jane C Hurley
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 425 North 5th Street (MC9020), Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Michael Todd
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 425 North 5th Street (MC9020), Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.,College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, 500 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Nishat Bhuiyan
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 425 North 5th Street (MC9020), Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Catherine L Jarrett
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 425 North 5th Street (MC9020), Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Wesley J Tucker
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 425 North 5th Street (MC9020), Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Kevin E Hollingshead
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 425 North 5th Street (MC9020), Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Siddhartha S Angadi
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 425 North 5th Street (MC9020), Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
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Mental health care among low-income pregnant women with depressive symptoms: facilitators and barriers to care access and the effectiveness of financial incentives for increasing care. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2016; 42:484-92. [PMID: 24898613 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-014-0562-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Access to mental health care is suboptimal for low-income pregnant women. Using in-depth interviews, we examined barriers and facilitators to accessing care among 42 low income pregnant women with depressive symptoms. To pilot whether financial incentives would increase utilization during pregnancy, half the women were randomized to receive $10 gift cards after mental health visits. Women reported external and internal barriers to accessing mental health care, and internal and interpersonal facilitators. Financial incentives did not impact how often the women visited mental health providers, suggesting that small incentives are not sufficient to catalyze mental health care use for this population.
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