Cost-Effectiveness and Long-Term Savings of the Bright Bodies Intervention for Childhood Obesity

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Economics
• Pediatric Obesity

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern with significant long-term health and economic consequences.
• Effective interventions are needed to manage and reduce obesity rates in children.
• The Bright Bodies program is a high-intensity, family-based intervention shown to improve body mass index (BMI) in children with obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the cost and cost-effectiveness of the Bright Bodies intervention.
• To compare the economic impact of Bright Bodies against traditional clinical weight management.
• To project the long-term healthcare cost savings associated with reduced childhood obesity.

Main Methods:

• A microsimulation model was developed to project 10-year BMI trajectories for children aged 8-16 with obesity.
• Data from the National Longitudinal Surveys and CDC growth charts were used for model development and validation.
• The model estimated BMI reduction, incremental costs of Bright Bodies, and projected obesity-related medical expenditures from a health system perspective.

Main Results:

• Bright Bodies is projected to reduce a participant's BMI by 1.67 kg/m² annually over 10 years compared to control.
• The incremental cost of Bright Bodies was $360 per person, but it generated cost savings of $1126 per person over 10 years.
• Cost savings were achieved within approximately 3.58 years, offsetting the initial intervention costs.

Conclusions:

• Despite being resource-intensive, the Bright Bodies intervention is cost-saving compared to standard clinical care.
• The program averts future obesity-related healthcare costs, demonstrating its economic value.
• Investing in intensive childhood obesity interventions like Bright Bodies can lead to significant long-term healthcare savings.