STRENGTHENING BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS FOR WEIGHT-LOSS - A RANDOMIZEDTRIAL OF FOOD PROVISION AND MONETARY INCENTIVES

Behavioral treatments for obesity seek to modify eating and exercise b ehaviors by a change in their antecedents and consequences. More direc t modification of antecedents and consequences by (a) the provision of food to patients and (b) the provision of financial rewards for weigh t loss was hypothesized to improve treatment outcomes. Two hundred two men and women were randomly assigned to no treatment, standard behavi oral treatment (SBT), SBT plus food provision, SBT plus incentives, or SBT plus food provision and incentives. The major finding was that fo od provision significantly enhanced weight loss. Weight losses with SB T averaged 7.7, 4.5, and 4.1 kg at 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively, compared with 10.1, 9.1, and 6.4 kg, respectively, at the same interv als with the addition of food. Food provision also enhanced attendance , completion of food records, quality of diet, and nutrition knowledge . We conclude that the provision of food to weight-loss patients is a promising methodology that deserves further exploration.