| Cost-effectiveness of Weight Watchers and the Lighten Up to a Healthy Lifestyle program. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 20618263 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
OBJECTIVE: Intensive weight loss programs that incorporate dietary counselling and exercise advice are popular and are supported by evidence of immediate weight loss benefits. We evaluate the cost-effectiveness of two weight loss programs, Lighten Up to a Healthy Lifestyle and Weight Watchers. METHODS: Health gains from prevention of chronic disease are modelled over the lifetime of the Australian population. These results are combined with estimates of intervention costs and cost offsets (due to reduced rates of lifestyle-related diseases) to determine the dollars per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted by each intervention program, from an Australian health sector perspective. RESULTS: Both weight loss programs produced small improvements in population health compared to current practice. The time and travel associated with attending group-counselling sessions, however, was costly for patients, and overall the cost-effectiveness ratios for Lighten Up ($130,000/DALY) and Weight Watchers ($140,000/DALY) were high. CONCLUSION: Based on current evidence, these intensive behavioural counselling interventions are not very cost-effective strategies for reducing obesity, and the potential benefits for population health are small. IMPLICATIONS: It will be critical to consider other strategies (e.g. changing the 'obesogenic' environment) or explore alternative methods of intervention delivery (e.g. Internet) to see if they offer a more cost-effective approach by effectively reaching a high number of people at a low cost. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Linda Cobiac; Theo Vos; Lennert Veerman |
Related Documents
:
|
1262673 - A weight control program for students using diet and behavior therapy. 15482973 - Validity of the body mass index silhouette matching test. 17252743 - A primer: social security act programs to assist the disabled. |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Australian and New Zealand journal of public health Volume: 34 ISSN: 1753-6405 ISO Abbreviation: Aust N Z J Public Health Publication Date: 2010 Jun |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2010-07-12 Completed Date: 2010-09-13 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 9611095 Medline TA: Aust N Z J Public Health Country: Australia |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 240-7 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia. l.cobiac@uq.edu.au |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Adult Aged Australia / epidemiology Behavior Therapy / economics* Body Mass Index Chronic Disease / epidemiology, prevention & control Cost-Benefit Analysis Diet / economics* Female Health Promotion / economics*, methods Humans Intervention Studies Life Style Middle Aged Obesity / epidemiology, prevention & control* Quality-Adjusted Life Years Weight Loss* Young Adult |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Chronic pain in South Australia - population levels that interfere extremely with activities of dail...
Next Document: Physical activity trends in Queensland (2002 to 2008): are women becoming more active than men?