Paying Peope To Lose Weight.....

jfauci
jfauci Posts: 531 Member
in Motivation and Support
Interesting concept - wonder if it works long term? This was in a healthcare publication today.

If you want people to slim down, why not reward them with gold? That's the tack being taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Alarmed at ballooning waistlines in a region where fast food is common and comfortable outdoor exercise is not, the local government is offering to give citizens a gram of gold for each kilogram lost by Aug. 16, according to news reports.
That's about $41 for a little over two pounds of pudge, based on today's market rate.
Participants have to lose at least two kilos to get the golden payout. They have to show up by Friday to weigh in, according to the Associated Press. And health care providers are expected to be on hand to recommend healthful weight-loss methods.
In the United States, rewards for people who lose weight, stop smoking and otherwise shape up are becoming part of workplace wellness programs, though they have yet to include precious metals in the payoff, as far as we know.
A 2011 survey of large U.S. employers found that half were using incentives as part of wellness programs, or planned to do so. They typically reduce the cost of health insurance premiums for employees who participate.
But those kind of systems can lead to discrimination against people who are in poor health through no fault of their own, patient advocates say.

Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    Interesting concept - wonder if it works long term? This was in a healthcare publication today.

    If you want people to slim down, why not reward them with gold? That's the tack being taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
    Alarmed at ballooning waistlines in a region where fast food is common and comfortable outdoor exercise is not, the local government is offering to give citizens a gram of gold for each kilogram lost by Aug. 16, according to news reports.
    That's about $41 for a little over two pounds of pudge, based on today's market rate.
    Participants have to lose at least two kilos to get the golden payout. They have to show up by Friday to weigh in, according to the Associated Press. And health care providers are expected to be on hand to recommend healthful weight-loss methods.
    In the United States, rewards for people who lose weight, stop smoking and otherwise shape up are becoming part of workplace wellness programs, though they have yet to include precious metals in the payoff, as far as we know.
    A 2011 survey of large U.S. employers found that half were using incentives as part of wellness programs, or planned to do so. They typically reduce the cost of health insurance premiums for employees who participate.
    But those kind of systems can lead to discrimination against people who are in poor health through no fault of their own, patient advocates say.
    I think it's great. Double win. Lower risk for health by getting in better health and lower premiums. As for those who are in poor health due to disease, they'd still have a higher premium, but should get a reduced premium if they are working towards better health habits.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • bulbadoof
    bulbadoof Posts: 1,058 Member
    BRB, moving to Dubai.
  • KatLifter
    KatLifter Posts: 1,314 Member
    Well, I work in substance abuse and we offer money incentives for people to come to treatment.
  • retirehappy
    retirehappy Posts: 4,757 Member
    I get a health insurance rebate from my company for managing my weight, some years it works great, others not so much.

    Life is about more than money.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    There is a website/app (can't remember the name) that pays you to lose weight and workout. but at the same time, if you don't, you owe money.
  • AlongCame_Molly
    AlongCame_Molly Posts: 2,835 Member
    Great idea!
    But those kind of systems can lead to discrimination against people who are in poor health through no fault of their own, patient advocates say.

    Rewarding people for losing weight is not the same as punishing people who can't. Therein lies the difference and keeps it from being true "discrimination".
  • Iron_Lotus
    Iron_Lotus Posts: 2,295 Member
    There is a website/app (can't remember the name) that pays you to lose weight and workout. but at the same time, if you don't, you owe money.

    Now that is incentive lol
  • SirBonerFart
    SirBonerFart Posts: 1,185 Member
    If I was a insurance company I'd pay my clients to get as fat as possible so they die sooner and lower my liability
  • KatLifter
    KatLifter Posts: 1,314 Member
    There is a website/app (can't remember the name) that pays you to lose weight and workout. but at the same time, if you don't, you owe money.

    GymPact, it's a free app. Catch is you have to go somewhere and check in, you can't workout at home.
  • CP_9712
    CP_9712 Posts: 25 Member
    There is a website/app (can't remember the name) that pays you to lose weight and workout. but at the same time, if you don't, you owe money.

    http://www.gym-pact.com/

    Found it!!!!!!
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
    Our insurance sponsor's a program at work:

    -Receive $5 for every pound lost in current year.
    -If you lost weight in the program in the previous year and receive another $5 for every pound kept off in current year.
    -Maximum of 10 pounds a month (1-2 lbs. weekly for healthy weight loss).
    -The top loser will receive a free prize valued at over $200.

    -Receive $50 when you:
    Walk 250 miles (about 5 miles a week), or
    Run 500 miles (about 10 miles a week), or
    Bike 1,000 miles (about 20 miles a week)

    -Receive 50% rebate (up to $30 a month) on your gym membership, aerobics, jazzercise/dance class.
    Work out at least 10 times a month
  • Themuseinme
    Themuseinme Posts: 224 Member
    great idea -thats seems like alot of money for only a few lbs. I used to be a nutritionist for the WIC program and i thought of the same concept - i also thought the approach would be good for women to breastfeed their babies-my idea was to put some of the money saved by not having to give them formula, could be put into a fund kept in a bank or invested till kid went to school , like kindergarden or even HS and then given to their families or give them a super nice computer.

    :love:
  • Themuseinme
    Themuseinme Posts: 224 Member
    interesting... to the post about Gympact -the gym in us with similiar concept. especially having to owe money if you gain.:sad:
  • Themuseinme
    Themuseinme Posts: 224 Member
    Our insurance sponsor's a program at work:

    -Receive $5 for every pound lost in current year.
    -If you lost weight in the program in the previous year and receive another $5 for every pound kept off in current year.
    -Maximum of 10 pounds a month (1-2 lbs. weekly for healthy weight loss).
    -The top loser will receive a free prize valued at over $200.

    -Receive $50 when you:
    Walk 250 miles (about 5 miles a week), or
    Run 500 miles (about 10 miles a week), or
    Bike 1,000 miles (about 20 miles a week)

    -Receive 50% rebate (up to $30 a month) on your gym membership, aerobics, jazzercise/dance class.
    Work out at least 10 times a month

    great program!!! im sure it motivates alot of folks
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    It's definitely a concept that works. Similar to this or gympact why not make a bet with someone in your life that you'll lose weight/go to the gym/run x distance and have penalties for failing to do so.
  • madworld1
    madworld1 Posts: 524
    Well, I work in substance abuse and we offer money incentives for people to come to treatment.

    Interesting. That never would have worked for me. Being the schemer that I was, I probably would have taken advantage of it. But, I can see how that might help those that really want help. When they get out they already have a bit of money to get back on their feet. I was one of those that needed serious humbling & no amount of money could have persuaded me to get clean.
  • snazzyjazzy21
    snazzyjazzy21 Posts: 1,298 Member
    You couldn't pay me enough money to like in Dubai...
  • Fiercely_Me
    Fiercely_Me Posts: 481 Member
    Great idea! A lot of people are extrinsically motivated than they are intrinsically motivated. It's not a bad thing or a good thing. It's a "whatever works for you" thing. Personally, I workout because it makes me feel good about myself, and I like challenging myself. However, if someone is going to give me money or similar incentive that would benefit me and my family then hey, why not? .
  • amandacreates91
    amandacreates91 Posts: 18 Member
    I know of a local business that is providing pedometers to it's employees. They have to walk 10,000 steps per day and are competing for a vacation trip. I guess people are liking the idea because they're losing weight.

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