Social and Financial Incentives to Increase Physical Activity Among Overweight and Obese Veterans

Evaluating Connected Health Approaches to Improving the Health of Veterans (CDA 15-065)

In this randomized, controlled trial the investigators will compare the use of social and financial incentive-based interventions to increase physical activity among overweight and obese Veterans during a 12-week intervention with 8 weeks of follow-up.

In this 3-arm randomized trial, the investigators will compare the effectiveness of a social incentive-based gamification intervention with and without loss-framed financial incentives to increase physical activity relative to a control among overweight and obese adults Veterans. All Veterans will use a Fitbit wearable device to establish a baseline step count, select a step goal increase of 33% to 50% above baseline and then participate in a 12-week intervention and 8-week follow-up period. The two intervention arms will be entered into a game with points and levels designed using insights from behavioral economics. They will be asked to select a social support partner who will receive weekly updates on their progress in the game. Veterans in one arm will also receive loss-framed financial incentives allocated to an account each week during the intervention and financial incentives taken away each day the step goal was not achieved.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Veterans
• Body mass index of 25 or greater
• Access to smartphone or tablet to sync wearable device data
• Interest in participating in a 20-week physical activity program

Exclusion Criteria:

• Already participating in a physical activity research study
• Unable to provide informed consent
• Unsafe or infeasible to participate
• No access to smartphone or table to sync wearable device data