title: Cost-effectiveness of a community-based weight control intervention targeting a low-socioeconomic-status Mexican-origin population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of our study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a community-based intervention designed to improve physical activity levels and dietary intake and to reduce diabetes risk in a largely Hispanic population residing along the U.S.-Mexico border.
  
  
  METHODS
  We forecasted disease outcomes, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained, and lifetime costs associated with actual and projected attainment of 2% and 5% weight loss taking a societal cost perspective. We extrapolated changes in beverage calorie consumption between baseline and 6-month follow-up to attain projected weight loss measures. Outcomes were projected 5, 10, and 20 years into the future and discounted at a 3.0% rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $57,430 and $61,893, respectively, per QALY gained when compared with usual care for the 2% and 5% weight loss scenarios. The intervention was particularly cost-effective for morbidly obese participants. Cost-effectiveness improves when using 3-year weight loss projections based on changes in sugar-sweetened beverage caloric consumption to $49,478 and $24,092 for the 2% and 5% weight loss scenarios.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This analysis demonstrates that a culturally sensitive community-based weight loss and maintenance intervention can be cost-effective even when healthy weight individuals participate.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, Austin, TX, USA kimberly.j.wilson@uth.tmc.edu.
authors.forename: Kimberly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, Austin, TX, USA.
authors.forename: H Shelton
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bastida
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000191:economics* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D011203:Poverty; D011788:Quality of Life; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D014481:United States; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs
keywords: Latino; chronic disease; community intervention; health education; minority health; nutrition; program planning and evaluation; quantitative evaluation