title: Cost-effectiveness of a workplace-based incentivized weight loss program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the cost-effectiveness ratios of a nursing home-based incentivized Behavioral Weight Management Program (BWMP) from the employer's perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two overweight and obese health care workers completed the BWMP (n = 35 incentivized; n = 37 nonincentivized). Weight change outcomes were compared for the pre- (0) and postintervention (28 weeks) follow-up periods within and between sites. Comprehensive estimates of BWMP direct program costs and avoided costs of absenteeism and productivity improvements were estimated to evaluate a business case.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference (P = 0.01) between the average per-participant weight change between incentivized sites (-7.4 lb) and nonincentivized sites (-2.2 lb). The cost-effectiveness ratios per pound of weight loss were $25.5 and $58.1, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, incentivized BWMPs were more cost effective. To generate a business case, enhancement in productivity becomes a critical factor and future research needs to investigate it further.
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA. Supriya_Lahiri@uml.edu
authors.forename: Supriya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lahiri
authors.forename: Pouran D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Faghri
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D001835:Body Weight; D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004526:Efficiency; D006266:Health Education; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009765:Obesity / Q000191:economics; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000191:economics*; D050177:Overweight / Q000191:economics; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000191:economics*