Cost-effectiveness of a behavioral weight loss intervention for low-income women: the Weight-Wise Program.
OBJECTIVE
Assess the cost-effectiveness of a 16-week weight loss intervention (Weight-Wise) for low-income midlife women.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial conducted in North Carolina in 2007 tested a weight loss intervention among 143 women (40-64 years old, mean BMI=35.1 kg/m(2)). Women were randomized to one of two arms-special intervention (n=72) and a wait-listed control group (n=71). Effectiveness measures included changes in weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. Cost-effectiveness measures calculated life years gained (LYG) from changes in weight, based on excess years life lost (YLL) algorithm.


RESULTS
Intervention participants had statistically significant decreases in weight (kg) (-4.4 95% CI=-5.6, -3.2) and in systolic blood pressure (-6.2 mm Hg, 95% CI=-10.6, -1.7) compared to controls. Total cost of conducting Weight-Wise was $17,403, and the cost per participant in intervention group was $242. The incremental cost per life year gained (discounted) from a decrease in obesity was $1862.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest the Weight-Wise intervention may be a cost-effective approach to improving the health of low-income women.
Gustafson
Alison
A
Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27519, USA. agustafs@email.unc.edu
Khavjou
Olga
O
Stearns
Sally C
SC
Keyserling
Thomas C
TC
Gizlice
Ziya
Z
Lindsley
Sara
S
Bramble
Kathy
K
Garcia
Beverly
B
Johnston
Larry
L
Will
Julie
J
Poindexter
Patricia
P
Ammerman
Alice S
AS
Samuel-Hodge
Carmen D
CD
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D009765:Obesity / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D011203:Poverty; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D016387:Women's Health / Q000191:economics*