Dubai Announces Unbelievable, Glittering Weight Loss Incentive

Let's say you're looking to shed a few pounds for summer. What would be the greatest incentive? Looking good in your swimsuit?  Getting healthy for your family?

Those might be pretty good motivators -- but what about solid gold?

Dubai has recently announced a new slim-down initiative over growing concerns about rising obesity levels in the wealthy Gulf city-state, where they're using just that.

In this Tuesday Oct. 9, 2012 file photo, 10 gram gold bars with a purity of 999.9 have been pressed and stamped with the "Emirates Gold" company logo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo: AP)

Municipal officials are offering a gram of gold - worth about $45 at current prices - for each kilogram of weight lost in a 30-day challenge referred to as "Your Weight in Gold."

The minimum drop is two kilograms, or 4.4 pounds, to cash in.  And local media quotes Dubai official Hussain Lootah as saying there is no limit on the payout for the golden losers.

So let's say you lose 10 pounds - that's roughly a cool $200.

And the "top winners" who lose the most will be eligible to win a gold coin worth Dh20,000 (about $5,445), according to Gulf News.

The health initiative will run from July 19 to August 16, and participants must sign up by Friday. Only competitors with "excess weight to lose" and are committed to "healthy weight loss methods" are eligible, Arabian Business adds.

The plan is the latest attempt to encourage healthier lifestyles in the United Arab Emirates.

Apparently a similar program was enacted in 2011, where people who walked in parks were eligible for prizes that included new cars.

“Ramadan is the most appropriate season to launch such initiatives as it reminds us about many health benefits of reducing weight and encourages us to take strong steps to change our bad lifestyles,"  Lootah remarked.

Across the Gulf Arab states, authorities have raised alarms about rising obesity from increasing fast-food diets and lack of exercise.

Would you be more likely to start a diet if rewarded in gold per pound lost?  Take our poll, below.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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