Obesity And Cash Rewards

authored by
Boris Augurzky, Thomas K. Bauer, Arndt R. Reichert, Harald Tauchmann, Christoph M. Schmidt
Abstract

In a multi-phase randomized controlled trial, we examine the impacts of cash rewards of EUR 150 and EUR 300 for reducing body weight on the likelihood of weight loss and weight-related behavioral change among 700 obese individuals. We find effects during all experimental phases, including 18 months after exposure to the incentives. Additional monetary rewards of EUR 250 and EUR 500 provided to participants who had lost a substantial amount of body weight exerted only short-term effects.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Health Economics
External Organisation(s)
RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research
Ruhr-Universität Bochum
World Bank
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg)
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)
Type
Article
Journal
Economics and human biology
Volume
57
No. of pages
19
ISSN
1570-677X
Publication date
05.2025
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Health(social science)
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ehb.2025.101492 (Access: Open)