Cost-effectiveness of a school-based obesity prevention program.
BACKGROUND
A school-based obesity prevention study (Medical College of Georgia FitKid Project) started in the fall of 2003 in 18 elementary schools. Half of the schools were randomized to an after-school program that included moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, healthy snacks, homework assistance, and academic enrichment. All third graders were invited to enroll. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness (CE) of the first-year intervention.


METHODS
Standard CE analysis methods and a societal perspective were used. Program delivery costs incurred during the first-year intervention and the usual after-school care costs that would occur in the absence of the intervention were estimated (in 2003 dollars). Net intervention costs were calculated by subtracting the usual after-school care costs from the intervention costs. The effectiveness of the intervention was measured as percent body fat (%BF) reduction compared with a control condition. The CE was assessed as the net intervention cost divided by the effectiveness of the intervention.


RESULTS
The intervention costs totaled $174,070, $558/student, or $956/student who attended > or = 40% of the intervention sessions. The usual after-school care costs were estimated at $639/student. Students who attended > or = 40% of the intervention reduced %BF by 0.76% (95% confidence interval: -1.42 to -0.09) at an additional cost of $317/student.


CONCLUSIONS
Subjects who attended > or = 40% of the intervention achieved a significant reduction in %BF at a relatively low cost. School-based obesity prevention programs of this type are likely to be a cost-effective use of public funds and warrant careful consideration by policy makers and program planners.
Wang
Li Yan
LY
Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. lgw0@cdc.gov
Gutin
Bernard
B
Barbeau
Paule
P
Moore
Justin B
JB
Hanes
John
J
Johnson
Maribeth H
MH
Cavnar
Marlo
M
Thornburg
Janet
J
Yin
Zenong
Z
D000273:Adipose Tissue; D002648:Child; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012574:Schools / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*