Chongqing university encourages weight loss through cash incentives

Chongqing University in southern China’s Chongqing municipality recently held a weight-loss competition in which participants who successfully lost weight over the course of one month through healthy diets and exercise could earn cash rewards. The rewards varied from 7.5 RMB ($1.10) to 22.5 RMB ($3.30) per kilogram lost.

Huang Zhiqiang from the university's athletic association disclosed that the activity was intended to encourage obese students to reach healthier weights. A total of 997 students participated in the activity, and 328 successfully lost a grand total of 1,320 kilograms. Some earned almost $450 through the activity.

Huang added that, although being fat or thin is not the sole criterion of health, maintaining one's weight within a healthy Body Mass Index zone is a good idea. In the future, the university may also hold activities to help overly thin people put on weight in a healthy manner.