Most of us are used to hearing
about unconventional weight loss plans, from various diets to boot camps and
unexpected exercise classes. The most recent health scheme attempting to aid
individuals in their weight-loss comes from Dubai, where participants are told
they will be receiving one gram of gold for each pound that they shed.
The scheme is called Your Weight
in Gold, and the participants have been named the “golden losers”. In order to
get the payouts, the participants have to take part in a 30-day scheme that
coincides with Ramadan, and lose at least 2 pounds in weight. The three
individuals who lose the most weight will be considered as finalists competing
to win a cold coin, which is worth $5400.
Although
it is an interesting idea, we would still be wary of the methods individuals
would use to quickly lose weight that may be harmful. Most people do not become
obese in 30 days, so their problem will not be solved in 30 days either. While
it is encouraging to see that obesity is addressed as an issue across the
globe, we also feel that it should not be trivialised through competitions. Having
said that, there is evidence that financial incentives work: Here is a link to
a study in the US a few years ago that demonstrates positive results.