NHS Pays Obese Men to Lose Weight with Text Message Reminders

The NHS is paying obese men up to £400 to lose weight while sending them daily text message reminders to shed the pounds. The trial, dubbed Game of Stones, involves men being texted daily tips including ‘walk a different route home to avoid the kebab shop’ and ‘don’t treat your body like a skip’.

Researchers Say Scheme Could Be Rolled Out Across NHS

Researchers said the scheme could now be rolled out across the NHS, adding that the levels of weight loss achieved were much greater than that seen in slimming classes. The study was funded by the government and recruited 585 men from Bristol, Glasgow, and Belfast through GP surgeries.

Participants Received Cash Incentives for Weight Loss

Participants were challenged to lose 10 per cent of their body weight in a year and keep it off, while given a cash incentive of £400. They received £50 if they lost five per cent of their body weight within three months and another £150 for losing ten per cent within six months. A final £200 is given if they keep this weight off for another six months, with men having four weigh-ins a year.

Experts Say Paying People to Lose Weight is Likely to be Cost-Effective

Experts said paying people to lose weight is likely to be cost-effective for the NHS in the long-run, as it reduces treatment costs for obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. The scheme is set to be rolled out to women as well.

Study Author Says Program is ‘Ready to Scale Up Now’

Study author Professor Pat Hoddinott, from the University of Stirling in Scotland, said the program is ‘ready to scale up now and we’re confident it can be done’. She added that the weight lost was greater than for a lot of the behavioural weight management services that are currently offered across the UK.

Conclusion

The NHS’s innovative approach to weight loss has shown promising results, with obese men losing significant amounts of weight and keeping it off with the help of daily text message reminders and cash incentives. The scheme is set to be rolled out to women as well, and experts say it could be a cost-effective solution for the NHS in the long-run.

FAQs

Q: How did the study work?

A: The study recruited 585 men from Bristol, Glasgow, and Belfast through GP surgeries and challenged them to lose 10 per cent of their body weight in a year and keep it off, while given a cash incentive of £400.

Q: What kind of text messages did the participants receive?

A: Participants received daily text messages with tips such as ‘walk a different route home to avoid the kebab shop’ and ‘don’t treat your body like a skip’.

Q: How much did the participants lose on average?

A: The participants lost an average of 4.8 per cent of their body weight, with 27 men succeeding and being given the full £400.

Q: Will the scheme be rolled out to women as well?

A: Yes, the scheme is set to be rolled out to women as well.

Q: How much did the study cost?

A: The study was funded by the government.