Strong monetary contingencies for weight loss during treatment and maintenance

Strong monetary contingencies were used during the treatment and maintenance phase of a weight control program. Thirty-eight overweight adults deposited $225, $15 of which was returned at each of eight weekly treatment meetings and seven monthly maintenance meetings. For clients in Group I, the deposits were returned for weight loss during treatment and attendance during maintenance. In Group II, deposits were repaid for attendance during treatment and weight loss during maintenance. There were no differences in weight loss between groups, and no evidence that contracts contingent on weight loss were significantly more effective than those for attendance. Clients lost significant amounts of weight during both treatment and maintenance, suggesting that prolonged use of strong monetary contracts may facilitate weight loss.