In the experiment, organized by members of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine,involved 57 patients losing weightTo whom the task was to lose 7 to 25 kg for 16 weeks.
Part of the subjects had the opportunity to participate in regular cash prizes, they could save only if performed prearranged plan to reduce weight. The second group was forced to make a certain amount of cash and are written off when they lose weight fast enough, but increased with fulfillment of the plan. Finally, the control group lost weight without any rewards and penalties.
By the end of the experiment a material interest groups goal reached about half of the participants. In the control group, those were only 10 percent. Subjects receiving prizes earned during the experiment an average of 273 dollars, and risk their own investments - 378 dollars.
At 7 months after the completion of the experiment, all participants received encouraging again gained weight, but even then they weighed less than before participation in the study. Apparently, scientists believe, immediate reward for dropped pounds is much more effective motivator than expected recovery, which can be expected only in the distant future.
Recall that in the US state of Alabama has practiced such measures - in people who are overweight monthly deduct part of the salary.