Effect of an Incentive-Based Motivational Campaign on Weight Loss and Physical Activity in Overweight Women

Abstract

2067 Incentive-based campaigns that target eating and exercise behaviors are commonly used within weight control programs (e.g., Diabetes Prevention Program) to encourage adoption and maintenance of these targeted behaviors. However, the effectiveness of these incentive-based campaigns on weight loss outcomes has not been evaluated. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an incentive-based campaign on body weight and physical activity in overweight women participating in a behavioral weight loss program. METHODS: Twenty-eight sedentary, overweight women (age: 44 ± 8.3 y; BMI: 30.2 ± 2.4 kg/m2) undergoing a 9-month behavioral weight loss treatment program were provided with a 12-week motivational campaign approximately 4 months into the study. Subjects had the opportunity to earn incentives based on the attainment of predetermined goals related to exercise and eating behaviors. The main focus of the campaign was to increase physical activity via steps recorded on a pedometer. Additional exercise and eating behaviors also allowed participants to earn additional points towards the attainment of incentives. Subjects were weighed at baseline, pre, and post campaign. RESULTS: 19 of the 28 subjects actively participated in the campaign (68%). Pearson correlation coefficients showed significant correlations between total steps (471,161 steps ± 417,023) taken during the campaign and: a) weight loss during the campaign (3.17 lbs ± 5.18) (r = 0.47, p<0.05) and b) weight loss from baseline to pre-campaign (18.96 lbs ± 8.62) (r = 0.42, p<0.05). Partial correlations, controlling for weight loss prior to the campaign, revealed a trend for total steps and weight loss during the campaign to remain significantly correlated (r = 0.37, p<0.07). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that campaigns may be effective tools to increase weight loss and physical activity, and this appears to be independent of weight loss achieved prior to the campaign. Therefore, incentive-based campaigns may be effective for increasing weight loss and physical activity outcomes when applied to clinical interventions. Supported by NIH grant DK58002