Weight loss competitions at the worksite: how they work and how well.
Three studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of competition as a method of weight loss at the worksite. Study 1 found team competitions more effective than either cooperation or individual competition for men, and more effective than individual competition for women. Study 2 replicated the effectiveness of team competitions at 10 worksites. The influence of four variables [gender, age, type of employment (blue-collar vs white-collar), and method of assignment to teams] upon four outcomes (recruitment, attrition, weight loss, and cost/effectiveness), was assessed. This study showed that the results of competition were robust and widely generalizable. Recruitment was high, attrition very low, weight losses large, and cost/effectiveness favorable. Study 3, however, found only limited maintenance of weight loss following competitions.
Stunkard
A J
AJ
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
Cohen
R Y
RY
Felix
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015431:Weight Loss; D014937:Work