The Need for Financial Incentive towards Joining Weight Loss Program among Malay Obese Married Women in Malaysia

Background: Abundant of health problem issues related to obesity nowadays require drastic solutions to prevent them from becoming worst. Therefore, one of supportive measure is by applying financial incentives. Previous studies suggested that financial incentives were effective to be applied to solve health problems among human being. However assessing the need for financial incentives among obese married women to join a weight loss program in order to combat with obesity in Malaysian context will need a slight review regarding their acceptability of financial incentives so as to ensure the successfulness of the intervention. Giving financial incentive for public is a huge investment so issues related to it should be considered. Methodology: An online survey was done among 30 respondents of married or ever married women who is currently having excess weight or obese. The survey was conducted by Survey Monkey to determine their acceptability about financial incentive through a weight loss program. The study was analysed in SPSS and the results were discussed in three aspects: age, types of occupation, and duration of being obese. Results and Discussion: The result shows that all different range groups of these obese married women agree to accept the idea of giving financial incentive by joining weight lost programs. However, the acceptance varies among different age, career status and how long has been obese. Conclusion: The need for financial incentive is a must and should be proceed immediately to encourage obese married women to join weight lost program in order to combat obesity in Malaysia.