Paying People To Change Their Behaviour Can Work

But it doesn't.

"Paying people to change their behaviour can work, at least in the short term."

Short term behavioral change is worse than meaningless.

It is the cause of yo-yo dieting and results in increased BMIs.

"Opinion on the use of incentives varies, but the authors suggest that offering a reward can help people to align their actions more closely with their true preferences."

People who are paid to lose weight, use the money to buy more food, displaying their "true preferences."

No, don't give these calorically irresponsible brontosapiens a single penny.

Offer them the economic incentive of paying for their diseases of choice with the option of "or else."

Either way, their choice will work.