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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 Oct 3;16(19):3363.
doi: 10.3390/nu16193363.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Loss versus Gain Incentives to Improve Adherence to an Obesity Treatment Intervention in Adolescents

Robert M Siegel  1   2 , Christopher Kist  1 , Shelley Kirk  1   2 , Roohi Kharofa  1   2 , Kristin Stackpole  1   2 , Amanda Sammons  1 , Linda Dynan  3   4 , Meghan E McGrady  2   5 , JangDong Seo  1 , Elaine Urbina  1   2 , Nadine A Kasparian  1   2   5
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Loss versus Gain Incentives to Improve Adherence to an Obesity Treatment Intervention in Adolescents

Robert M Siegel et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Background/objectives: Adherence to pediatric obesity treatment can be challenging. Monetary incentives improve adherence to lifestyle interventions, with incentives framed as loss often more effective than those framed as gain. The objectives of this study were to determine if monetary incentives in the form of gift cards would improve adherence to an obesity treatment intervention and whether framing the incentive as either loss or gain affected adherence.

Methods: Sixty adolescents with obesity (body mass index of ≥95th percentile for age and sex) were recruited from our pediatric obesity treatment program. They were randomized into one of three groups and given a monthly adherence score (AS) of up to 100 points. These points were based on completing a medical visit, reporting on diet intake, and measuring daily steps on a wearable tracker. The Gain Group (GG), N = 20, started each month with USD 0 in a virtual account and increased their monetary reward up to USD 100 depending on AS. The Loss Group (LG), N = 21, began each month with USD 100 in their virtual account, which decreased based on adherence. The Control Group (CG), N = 19, received USD 10 monthly.

Results: Adherence was highest in the GG, with 66.0 points, compared to the LG, with 54.9 points, and CG, with 40.6 points, with p < 0.01. The GG had greater adherence to their step goal (14.6) and dietary reporting (18.7) compared to the LG (10.0 and 13.9) and the CG (3.9 and 8.1), p < 0.005.

Conclusions: Gain-framed incentives are superior to loss-framed ones in improving adherence to pediatric obesity treatments.

Keywords: behavioral economics; childhood; cost-effectiveness; gain; incentives; loss; obesity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Total adherence points for each of the groups with time in months of study participation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Exercise adherence points for each of the groups with time in months of study participation.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Diet log reporting adherence points for each group with time in months of study participation.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Clinic visit adherence points adherence points for each group with time in months of study participation.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Total adherence points for all groups combined with time in months of study participation.
Figure 6
Figure 6
TreeAge derived decision tree cost-effective analysis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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