Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Twenty grams of gold - what you could get for losing 44lbs. Gold via Shutterstock

The Dubai diet: Lose weight, get paid gold. Simple.

Where can we sign up?

To GIVE NEW meaning to the phrase ‘worth your weight in gold’, Dubai has come up an innovative way of tackling the country’s obesity crisis.

Lose weight and get paid in gold. It’s that easy. Where do we sign up?

Municipal officials will give a gram of gold — worth about €34 at current prices — for each kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight lost in a 30-day challenge. The minimum drop is two kilograms, or 4.4 pounds, to cash in.

Dubai official Hussain Lootah said there is no limit on the payout for the golden losers.

The plan is the latest attempt to encourage healthier lifestyles in the United Arab Emirates. Across the Gulf Arab states, authorities have raised alarms about rising obesity from increasing fast-food diets and lack of exercise.

Read: New Jersey governor Chris Christie reveals he had gastric band surgery>
More: ‘She’s a totally different child’: Mother hails success of now suspended obesity service>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Author
Amy Croffey
View 40 comments
Close
40 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds