NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust announced a trial of Weight Wins’ Pounds for Pounds scheme to the public and NHS staff in January 2009. The programme was oversubscribed by a factor of six. A 402-person cohort (58% female, mean BMI 34.6, 77% obese) commenced the Pounds for Pounds trial in January 2009. Participants selected personal structured financial incentive plans of 3 to 13 months with monthly weigh-ins and earnings.
On average:
- Participants were active in the programme for 6.3 months and lost mean 13.9 lbs, or 6.2% of body weight (control group 5.5 lbs, 2.5% of body weight)
- Mean BMI reduction was 2.1 points
- 45% of participants lost 5% or more of body weight, and 23% lost 10% or more of body weight
- Mean weight loss was maintained after the intervention to 12 months
During the intervention, 20% of participants in the ‘Obese’ category (BMI>30) left the ‘Obese’ category, and 40% of morbidly obese participants (BMI>40) left the ‘Morbidly Obese’ category.
39% of participants completed their course of weigh-ins and reached the end of their plan (mean ‘active’ period 11.1 months), achieving mean weight loss of 22.9 lbs (10.5% of body weight). Participants active at 12 months had lost mean 25.3 lbs (11.2% of body weight) and 3.9 BMI points.
Men, older people, and higher socioeconomic groups performed slightly better.
93% of post-trial respondents reported that they had changed their diet, and 80% had exercised more. 33% reported an improvement in one or more medical conditions as a result of the intervention. 80% believed they would maintain their weight loss or lose further weight.
The outcomes of the Pounds for Pounds intervention appear to be markedly superior to those of other behaviour-based weight loss programmes which have undergone clinical trials.
Health scientists at University of Sheffield have conducted an independent analysis of the data. Outcomes may vary from Weight Wins’ internal analysis due to differences in statistical methodology.
"The 'Pounds for Pounds' weight loss financial incentive scheme: an evaluation of a pilot in NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent", C. Relton, M. Strong, J. Li, Journal of Public Health, March 2011.