In 1960, 13% of US adults were obese. Now it’s 31% and it’s looking like obesity might surpass cigarette smoking as the numero uno preventable cause of premature death.

How can we get people to get serious about losing weight?

Kevin Volpp and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania thought why not try financial incentives and you know what? They worked like a charm.

The scientists randomized 57 obese healthy male volunteers aged 30-70 years to either of 2 incentive programs or a control group. The goal was to lose 16 pounds in 16 weeks.

In both incentive schemes, participants had to pay to play and could only win if they met weight loss targets during the study. The first involved a cash lottery. In the second, players doubled their money straight-up if they met the targets.

In both schemes, the payout came out to about the same, $300 per qualifying player. The control group received educational materials and monthly weigh-ins.

At the end of 16 weeks, only 10% of the controls achieved the weight loss target. Fully half those in each incentive group made it and the difference was significant.  The findings were not impacted by age, income or initial BMI.

At 7 months, scientists found that the weight of control group participants had returned to pre-study values. Weight of participants in the incentive groups was significantly below baseline levels, although they had packed on some pounds since the study ended.  

And almost no one in the incentive groups was lost to follow-up!

Scientists will want to study the long-term benefits of incentive programs, determine whether the findings can be generalized to women and assess program cost-effectiveness but yea, we know how get their attention all right!

76% of people approve of the Big O’s performance since election night, including nearly 6 in 10 Republicans, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll of 1,000 adults conducted between December 11 and 14.

And while most people say he needs to bear down on the economy right away, many want him to expand his policy focus quickly.

A shade less than half of the survey respondents believe the Big O can do a “great deal” or “good amount” to fix the economy, and 55% percent think he’s done well so far on this matter.

A higher number, 65% favor a stimulus package of the sort recently floated by the president-elect’s transition team.

A majority of respondents support major health system reform, and 65% of Democrats and 52% of Independents want immediate action on the matter.

But 44% of Republicans say they don’t favor major health system reform and an equal amount could swallow something big but don’t think it’s something he needs to focus on immediately.

A majority of respondents from both parties think the federal government should expand health coverage for children by extending the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which at the moment has a March sunset provision.

The stem cell issue remains contentious with most Republicans opposing new federal funding and most Democrats saying the Big O should authorize exactly that right away.

Democrats and Republicans also disagree in predictable ways on the Big O’s pledge to pull troops out of Iraq in 16 months.

There was strong bipartisan support for increased use of renewable energy and a nationwide moratorium on home foreclosures. Most people want the Big O to address these issues right away.

More than 11% of US children and teens take herbal supplements or another type alternative medicine, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study is the first to assess utilization of oral supplements, acupuncture, meditation and chiropractic care among children. The same study concluded that adult utilization of these treatments remained stable since 2002 at about 37%.

Herbal supplements were the most frequently used alternative therapy in all age groups. Children were particularly common users of Echinacea, fish oil, combination herb pills, flaxseed oil, and prebiotics or probiotics.

The most common symptoms triggering use of herbal supplements were head or chest colds, anxiety/stress and back or neck pain. Insomnia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and body aches made the top 10.

Kids were 5 times more likely to use alternative therapies if a parent or relative used them. Those with higher incomes and education, and those covered by private health insurance were more likely to use them than children who were uninsured or covered by public programs.

It’s hard to say whether this degree of utilization is useful or harmful since few of the therapies have been tested rigorously according to Richard Nahin, a study author head of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

The study relied on a 2007 survey of 23,000 adults representing themselves and 9,000 other adults who spoke for a child in their home.

The study did not examine use of vitamin and mineral supplements, folk medicine practices or religious healing.

Use of alternative therapies is likely much higher in immigrant communities, particularly those from China, Africa and the Caribbean.