Helping Employees Lose Pounds

Translating Insights From Behavioral Economics and Self-Determination Theory to Promote Sustained Weight Loss Among Obese Employees

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of financial incentives and messaging tailored to individual goals and aspirations to promote and sustain weight loss. This is a 2-arm randomized controlled trial that will recruit eligible employees at a large university to participate in a 3-month weight loss program, followed by a 3-month follow-up period. The primary outcome will be change in autonomous motivation for weight loss.

The study hypothesis is that intervention group participants will have a greater increase in autonomous motivation for weight loss than participants in the control group at 12 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Interested in losing weight
• Body Mass Index between 30 and 40 kg/m2
• Have wireless internet at home
• Have Android or iOS smart device
• Willing to record themselves weighing in on a scale or let a family member record them weighing in on a scale

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or lactating, or intending to become pregnant in the next 6 months
• Taking medication (other than metformin) for diabetes to control blood sugar
• Having a serious psychiatric diagnosis, unstable medical conditions or experienced a heart attack or stroke in the past 6 months
• Having a history of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction to prescription medications