What, When, and How Much: The Search for Financial Incentive Designs to Enhance the Reach of Weight Loss Programs

Ali Hashemi ()
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Ali Hashemi: Wake Forest University, Economics Department, Postal: P.O. Box 7505, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, http://college.wfu.edu/economics/

No 103, Working Papers from Wake Forest University, Economics Department

Abstract: Participation rates (i.e., reach) of weight loss programs have been relatively low, limiting the potential for public health impacts. Financial incentives are common tools employed to increase program reach and adherence. However no known study has simultaneously examined wide ranges of incentive attributes and levels in terms of their influence on weight loss program participation. This study uses stated-preference methods to elicit individuals’ program participation preference towards different financial incentive attributes: amount, type and timing. Results from random parameter logit models show that immediate payments that are easily fungible in peoples’ daily lives will engender the highest participation rates. The observed heterogeneity, both in subject responses to program attributes and in terms of subject characteristics, indicates that a weight loss program with a one-size-fits-all financial incentive component will not maximize participation.

Keywords: Financial Incentives; Program Reach; Random Parameter Logit; Stated-Preference Method (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F10 F13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 40 pages
Date: 2012-09-10
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ris:wfuewp:0103

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