Cash Incentive Weight-loss Scheme Criticised - Diabetes UK

As it should be.

A new NHS scheme offering cash incentives to obese people who lose weight has helped over 100 people shed almost two stone each over a twelve-month period.

Launched by a primary care trust in Kent, the pilot scheme, which offered reward payments of up to £425, saw 402 volunteers sign up for a year-long 'Pounds for pounds' trial in January last year.

Two-thirds failed to reach weight-loss target

Only 100 of the 402 volunteers, however, completed the course and the average weight loss was 25lbs. Two-thirds of the volunteers failed to reach their weight-loss target.

The scheme's poor results have disappointed experts who hope such initiatives will curb the ballooning incidence of diseases and conditions associated with smoking, alcohol and obesity.

Not only is it wrong to pay people to be calorically responsible, but the money they get goes to purchasing more Calories.

Don't pay the fat to lose weight. Don't pay for their sick care related to diseases of choice.

Then watch the pounds come off.