Economic evaluation of a group randomized controlled trial on healthy eating and physical activity in afterschool...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Childhood Obesity Prevention

Background:

• Limited data exists on the cost-effectiveness of healthy eating and physical activity interventions in afterschool programs (ASPs).
• Understanding intervention costs is crucial for policy and program implementation.
• Previous research has not comprehensively cataloged costs for such programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the costs associated with a comprehensive intervention aimed at promoting healthy eating and physical activity in afterschool programs.
• To analyze intervention delivery inputs (IDIs) and their financial implications.
• To provide cost data for future cost-effectiveness analyses.

Main Methods:

• A group randomized delayed treatment controlled trial was conducted across 20 afterschool programs involving over 1700 children (aged 5-12 years).
• Intervention delivery inputs (IDIs) were prospectively cataloged over a two-year period (2014-2015).
• Costs were analyzed and expressed as increases in per-child per-week enrollment fees based on a 34-week school year.

Main Results:

• Total intervention costs in Year 1 were $15,058 (+$0.58/child/week).
• Year 2 costs differed for delayed ($13,828; +$0.52/child/week) and immediate intervention groups ($7916; +$0.30/child/week).
• Costs for increasing physical activity ranged from $0.05-$0.26/child/week, while changes in food/beverage offerings ranged from $0.16-$0.87/child/week.

Conclusions:

• The costs associated with implementing these interventions in afterschool programs were found to be minimal.
• Further efforts are needed to reduce costs and enhance the effectiveness of these health-promoting interventions.
• The study provides foundational cost data for evaluating the economic impact of ASP-based health initiatives.