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Cost-effectiveness of group and mixed family-based treatment for childhood obesity

G S Goldfield1, L H Epstein, C K Kilanowski

  • 1Mental Health Research, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ontario, Canada.

International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders : Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity
|January 10, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Group-based family behavioral treatment is a more cost-effective approach for pediatric obesity management than mixed individual and group formats. This approach offers significant value for reducing childhood obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Behavioral Health
  • Health Economics

Background:

  • Family-based behavioral treatment is a recognized effective intervention for pediatric obesity.
  • Comparing different delivery protocols is essential for optimizing treatment efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the cost-effectiveness of two family-based behavioral treatment delivery protocols for pediatric obesity.
  • To evaluate which treatment format offers a better return on investment in terms of BMI reduction.

Main Methods:

  • Randomized controlled trial involving 31 families with obese children.
  • Comparison of a mixed (group and individual) treatment protocol versus a group-only protocol.
  • Cost-effectiveness calculated as reduction in standardized BMI and percentage overweight per dollar spent.

Main Results:

  • The group-only treatment was significantly more cost-effective than the mixed treatment.
  • Both protocols yielded similar reductions in Z-BMI and percentage overweight for children and parents.
  • The mixed treatment protocol incurred significantly higher delivery costs.

Conclusions:

  • Family-based behavioral interventions using group treatment alone are more cost-effective for pediatric obesity.
  • This finding supports the implementation of group-only formats for greater economic efficiency in obesity treatment programs.
Abstract

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