Money is a new and effective reward for getting rid of excess weight. You can improve the shape, get healthy, and make money – what could be better?
Money work
Hardly anyone would deny money being one of the most powerful motivators. The love for money and the desire for financial well-being today is not only used by employers, but also the authorities in order to get people to take care of their health. In addition, the authorities are worried not only about people, but also about the money that the economy loses because of excess weight. Obese people have many health problems – heart problems, blood vessels, diabetes, and many others. The more successfully the problem of obesity is solved, the fewer people will take sick leaves and so the greater the benefit to the country. That is why losing weight means becoming not only more beautiful, but also healthier and more efficient at work. Which countries pay people for weight loss?
United Kingdom
In 2011, the UK Department of Health launched a project to encourage people to lose weight. The project’s budget was 75,000 pounds.
The program was called Pounds for Pounds. Each participant received approximately 185 pounds (the amount differed depending on the achievements) for participation in the program and meeting all requirements. Thanks to the project, almost half of the activists who began to eat less and do more exercise, lost more than five percent of body weight. 23.6% of the dieters have achieved even more – got rid of 10% excess weight.
The average weight of dieters who wished to earn was more than 100 kilograms. The participants were middle-aged, and women outnumbered men.
During the 13 months of the project, over a third of the participants managed to achieve their goal. However, even taking into account those who dropped out, the average weight loss was about 4 kg (8 lb).
The 402 project participants managed not only to improve their shape, but also to earn. For the efforts, they have received from 70 to 425 pounds.
Note that Great Britain offered the financial incentive not accidentally. The fact is that the problem of excess weight is particularly acute there. According to the Department of Health, at least 12 million adults and 1 million children suffer from obesity.
Canada
Another country where residents are paid for losing weight is Canada. Statistics reports that 17% of the Canadians currently suffer from obesity.
Authorities attempted to change the citizens’ nutrition and encourage them to take up fitness, but no significant improvement was achieved. Then the government decided to allocate money to encourage those who would work on their body and health.
Money that is traditionally spent on social advertising or ineffective projects was decided to be spent otherwise. Authorities decided to reward people who ate right, lost weight, and were engaged in fitness. The check for weight loss was considerable – 5000 dollars per year – so that a person could spend it on healthy foods, pool, gym, and other attributes of a healthy lifestyle.
UAE
The UAE is also struggling with obesity by means of money, or rather gold. After all, the problem of excess weight in the Middle East is also acute. The prevalence of fast food cafes and the unpopularity of fitness are doing their job. The proper response to unhealthy lifestyles is contests on losing weight, where gold bullions are awarded for weight loss.
The municipal government of Dubai organizes the competitions where not only natives but anyone living in Dubai can participate. Awards are established for all who able to lose 2 or more pounds in two months, using healthy methods of weight loss. For every lost kilogram, the participants receive 1 gram of gold.
It should be noted that not only adults but also children will be able to participate in the second contest, which will be held in Dubai in the summer and fall of 2014. If a participant’s child manages to lose 2 kg, the reward will be doubled. Families are allowed to involve two children under the age of 13.
According to Mr. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, in 2014 the priority is given to family weight loss, because obesity affects not only adults but also children, and therefore, the approach must be comprehensive.
The local media report that the competition will be held from July 15 until September 15.
Last year, participants received 16 kilograms of gold, worth about 540,000 dollars. There is something to strive for, isn’t it?
