Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
Cost-effectiveness of a family-based GP-mediated intervention targeting overweight and moderately obese children
Marjory Moodie1, Michelle Haby, Melissa Wake
1Health Economics Unit, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia. marj.moodie@deakin.edu.au
Insights
A family-based intervention for childhood obesity is cost-effective, saving money and improving health outcomes. Long-term sustainability of weight loss remains a key consideration for this public health initiative.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Pediatric Obesity
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern requiring effective interventions.
- Societal cost-effectiveness analysis is crucial for evaluating public health programs.
- The LEAP trial provided a basis for modelling family-based interventions for childhood obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the incremental cost-effectiveness of a family-based, GP-mediated intervention for overweight and moderately obese children from a societal perspective.
- To evaluate the intervention's impact on body mass index (BMI) and health outcomes, measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
- To incorporate additional factors like equity, feasibility, and sustainability into the resource allocation decision-making process.
Main Methods:
- A logic pathway and simulation modelling were employed to compare the intervention against a 'no intervention' scenario.
- Health outcomes (BMI, DALYs) and disease costs were tracked over the lifespan of the cohort.
- A 95% uncertainty interval was calculated for the cost-effectiveness ratio, alongside an assessment using predefined filters.
Main Results:
- The modelled intervention reached 9685 children (aged 5-9 years, BMI z-score ≥3.0) with a net cost per DALY saved of $AUD4670.
- It resulted in an incremental saving of 2300 BMI units and 511 DALYs.
- Total cost offsets from the intervention amounted to $AUD3.6M, with a net cost of $AUD0.1M.
Conclusions:
- The family-based intervention demonstrates cost-effectiveness compared to no intervention, despite wide uncertainty intervals.
- The long-term sustainability of the achieved weight loss is a critical factor, given the 9-month follow-up data from the LEAP trial.
- Further research into long-term outcomes is warranted to fully understand the intervention's sustained impact.
Objective:
To assess from a societal perspective the incremental cost-effectiveness of a family-based GP-mediated intervention targeting overweight and moderately obese children. The intervention was modelled on the LEAP (live, eat and play) trial, a randomised controlled trial conducted by the Centre for Community Child Health, Melbourne, Australia in 2002-2003. This study was undertaken as part of the assessing cost-effectiveness (ACE) in obesity project which evaluated, using consistent methods, 13 interventions targeting unhealthy weight gain in children and adolescents.
Method:
A logic pathway was used to model the effects of the intervention compared to no intervention on body mass index (BMI) and health outcomes (disability-adjusted life years-DALYs). Disease costs and health benefits were tracked until the cohort of eligible children reached the age of 100 years or death. Simulation-modelling techniques were used to present a 95% uncertainty interval around the cost-effectiveness ratio. The intervention was also assessed against a series of filters ('equity', 'strength of evidence', 'acceptability', 'feasibility', sustainability' and 'side-effects') to incorporate additional factors that impact on resource allocation decisions.
Results:
The intervention, as modelled, reached 9685 children aged 5-9 years with a BMI z-score of >or=3.0, and cost $AUD6.3M (or $AUD4.8M excluding time costs). It resulted in an incremental saving of 2300 BMI units which translated to 511 DALYs. The cost-offsets stemming from the intervention totalled $AUD3.6M, resulting in a net cost per DALY saved of $AUD4670 (dominated; $0.1M) (dominated means intervention costs more for less effect).
Conclusion:
Compared to a 'no intervention' control group, the intervention was cost-effective under current assumptions, although the uncertainty intervals were wide. A key question related to the long-term sustainability of the small incremental weight loss reported, based on the 9-month follow-up results for LEAP.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
01:24Obesity
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients