Weigh and Win

Weigh and Win is aimed at decreasing obesity rates by engaging people with incentives tied to actual measured results. This is the first program of its kind to translate an evidence-based worksite wellness program, developed by a privately owned Colorado company named incentaHEALTH, for the general public. Weigh and Win builds upon Kaiser Permanente’s Community Benefit support of environmental, policy and local community efforts to increase healthy eating and physical activity. By maximizing relationships internally and with the private and public sectors, this initiative is a cost effective approach to behavior change.

Through Kaiser Permanente’s support and funding, Weigh and Win is FREE to all Colorado adults age 18 and over. Participants who have weight improvement earn quarterly cash incentives, and there are opportunities for all participants to win monthly prizes. Program components include:

• Enroll: Easy enrollment at WeighandWin.com or at any kiosk.
• Coach: Personalized daily email and/or text messages coach individuals on healthy eating and active living.
• Measure: Quarterly, photographed weigh-ins at private kiosks conveniently located in the community allow participants to track their progress.
• Reward: Quarterly cash incentives are awarded to participants for weight improvement: (5% weight-loss = $15, 10% weight-loss = $30, etc.). All participants are eligible for monthly prizes from local retail partners.
• Challenge: Participants can form teams comprised of family, friends, and/or co-workers to create friendly competition, increased motivation and for the opportunity to earn additional rewards.

Benefits for the Community

There are currently no behavior modification programs like this offered free to the community. The program incentivizes those who are ready, motivated and have access to community placed kiosks. Weigh and Win will help participants eat healthy and be active with the goal of decreasing BMI. Achieving a healthy BMI is so important because research shows that a 5-7% weight loss (about 10-14 pounds for a 200 pound person) from dietary changes and increased physical activity can prevent or delay the onset of Type II Diabetes. Helping community members lead healthier lives is not only good for their longevity and quality of life, it also averts expensive health care costs from treating people with conditions related to being overweight and obese.

Weigh and Win is successful due to its community partners, who are engaged in helping to promote and expand access to the program. The cost-effective method of offering this program through community partnerships helps to expand program reach and also allows small businesses and public sector organizations that wouldn’t normally have the capacity, to offer this program to their employees.

Organization

Weigh and Win is funded by Kaiser Permanente (a non-profit) and administered by incentaHEALTH.