Comparison of program costs for parent-only and family-based interventions for pediatric obesity in medically underserved rural settings.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the costs of parent-only and family-based group interventions for childhood obesity delivered through Cooperative Extension Services in rural communities.


METHODS
Ninety-three overweight or obese children (aged 8 to 14 years) and their parent(s) participated in this randomized controlled trial, which included a 4-month intervention and 6-month follow-up. Families were randomized to either a behavioral family-based intervention (n = 33), a behavioral parent-only intervention (n = 34), or a waitlist control condition (n = 26). Only program costs data for the parent-only and family-based programs are reported here (n = 67). Assessments were completed at baseline, post-treatment (month 4) and follow-up (month 10). The primary outcome measures were total program costs and cost per child for the parent-only and family interventions.


RESULTS
Twenty-six families in the parent-only intervention and 24 families in the family intervention completed all 3 assessments. As reported previously, both intervention programs led to significantly greater decreases in weight status relative to the control condition at month 10 follow-up. There was no significant difference in weight status change between the parent-only and family interventions. Total program costs for the parent-only and family interventions were 13,546 US dollars and 20,928, US dollars respectively. Total cost per child for the parent-only and family interventions were 521 US dollars and 872 US dollars, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Parent-only interventions may be a cost-effective alternative treatment for pediatric obesity, especially for families in medically underserved settings.
Janicke
David M
DM
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, 101 South Newell Dr. #3151, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. djanicke@phhp.ufl.edu
Sallinen
Bethany J
BJ
Perri
Michael G
MG
Lutes
Lesley D
LD
Silverstein
Janet H
JH
Brumback
Babette
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010290:Parents; D010372:Pediatrics; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000191:economics; D012424:Rural Population