A Randomized Incentive-Based Weight Loss Trial in Singapore

Globally, the rise in obesity rates has reached epidemic proportions, and in Singapore 53% of adults have a body mass index (BMI) great than 23.0 kg/m2, a level that increases risk for chronic disease among Asians. This study aims to test the extent to which traditional or behavioural economic incentives, when combined with an existing evidence-based weight loss program, improve weight loss and weight loss maintenance. Data will be collected through a two-arm (basic weight loss program, basic program plus traditional or behavioural economic incentives) randomized controlled trial (RCT) where key outcome variables are defined as weight loss (kilograms) at 8 months when the incentive program concludes, and at 12 months, after a 4 month period in which no additional incentives are provided. We hypothesize that at both 8 and 12 months, weight loss will be greater in the incentive arm than in the arm without incentives. The growing obesity epidemic, the high costs of obesity to employers, insurers and governments across Asia, and the fact that the incentive program is designed to be close to cost neutral, suggest that this research has high potential to have a significant public health impact, both in Singapore and the region.