Savani, MM;
(2018)
The Effects of a Commitment Device on Health Outcomes: Reputational Commitment and Weight Loss in an Online Experiment.
International Journal of Applied Behavioral Economics (IJABE)
, 7
(4)
, Article 1. 10.4018/IJABE.2018100101.
Preview |
Text
Savani_Commitment Devices for Health (Savani 2018).pdf - Published Version Download (742kB) | Preview |
Abstract
This article tests the effectiveness of commitment devices on weight loss. It can be applied as a health ‘nudge' that locks in future behaviours to achieve a desired health outcome, by staking money or reputation on achieving that goal. A field experiment randomly assigned 364 clients of an online weight loss service to either a reputational commitment device or an upfront refund on the monthly fee. The reputational commitment intervention was expected to combat time inconsistency and promote greater weight loss. Weight outcomes were measured at 12 weeks. The results showed that all experimental groups lost weight on average, but the group experiencing the reputational commitment reported end weight outcomes 1.5 kg higher than the comparison group, indicating slower weight loss (± 0.05, effect size -0.32). One possible explanation for the findings is ‘commitment overload'. The study nuances the understanding of commitment devices and how best to deploy them in health programmes including e-heath platforms.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Effects of a Commitment Device on Health Outcomes: Reputational Commitment and Weight Loss in an Online Experiment |
| Location: | USA |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.4018/IJABE.2018100101 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.4018/IJABE.2018100101 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Behavioural Economics, Commitment Device, Dual Self, Field Experiment, Health Behaviour, Nudge, Obesity, Weight Loss |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10056803 |
Loading...
Loading...Loading...Loading...Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
