Financial motivation undermines maintenance in an intensive diet and activity intervention

Arlen C. Moller*, H. Gene McFadden, Donald Hedeker, Bonnie Spring

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Financial incentives are widely used in health behavior interventions. However, self-determination theory posits that emphasizing financial incentives can have negative consequences if experienced as controlling. Feeling controlled into performing a behavior tends to reduce enjoyment and undermine maintenance after financial contingencies are removed (the undermining effect). We assessed participants' context-specific financial motivation to participate in the Make Better Choices trial - a trial testing four different strategies for improving four health risk behaviors: low fruit and vegetable intake, high saturated fat intake, low physical activity, and high sedentary screen time. The primary outcome was overall healthy lifestyle change; weight loss was a secondary outcome. Financial incentives were contingent upon meeting behavior goals for 3 weeks and became contingent upon merely providing data during the 4.5-month maintenance period. Financial motivation for participation was assessed at baseline using a 7-item scale (α=.97). Across conditions, a main effect of financial motivation predicted a steeper rate of weight regained during the maintenance period, t(165)=2.15, P=.04. Furthermore, financial motivation and gender interacted significantly in predicting maintenance of healthy diet and activity changes, t(160)=2.42, P=.016, such that financial motivation had a more deleterious influence among men. Implications for practice and future research on incentivized lifestyle and weight interventions are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number740519
JournalJournal of Obesity
Volume2012
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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