Social and Financial Incentives to Increase Physical Activity Among Overweight and Obese Veterans

In this 3‐arm randomized trial, the investigators will compare the effectiveness of a social incentive‐based gamification intervention with and without loss‐framed financial incentives to increase physical activity relative to a control among overweight and obese adults Veterans. All Veterans will use a Fitbit wearable device to establish a baseline step count, select a step goal increase of 33% to 50% above baseline and then participate in a 12‐week intervention and 8‐week follow‐up period. The two intervention arms will be entered into a game with points and levels designed using insights from behavioral economics. They will be asked to select a social support partner who will receive weekly updates on their progress in the game. Veterans in one arm will also receive loss‐framed financial incentives allocated to an account each week during the intervention and financial incentives taken away each day the step goal was not achieved.