Document Detail


Economic evaluation of an Internet-based weight management program.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20370312     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a behavioral Internet treatment (BIT) program for weight management is a viable, cost-effective option compared with usual care (UC) in a diverse sample of overweight (average body mass index = 29 kg/m2), healthy adults (mean age = 34 years) serving in the US Air Force. STUDY DESIGN: Two-group parallel randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned into 2 groups: UC (n = 215) and UC plus BIT (n = 227). Baseline and 6-month assessments were included in the analyses. Primary outcome measures (changes in body weight, percent body fat, and waist circumference) and secondary outcome measures (Weight Efficacy Lifestyle [WEL] questionnaire) were included in an incremental cost-effectiveness analysis (ICEA) model. Costs were computed using the perspective of an agency wanting to replicate the intervention. Sensitivity analyses were performed to measure the robustness of models. RESULTS: Overall cost for BIT intervention was $11,178.40, or $49.24 per BIT participant. Total staff-time cost was $14.03 per BIT participant. Intervention cost was $25.92 per kilogram of weight loss and $28.96 per centimeter of waist-circumference loss. The cost was $37.88 for each additional point gained on the WEL subscale, where increasing scores indicate increased confidence in managing social pressures to eat. CONCLUSIONS: The BIT program is a cost-effective choice for weight management. It may cost more initially, but it results in long-term cost savings. Such cost-effective, Internet-based behavioral interventions for weight management could provide a valuable tool for preventive care aimed at improving individual and societal health.
Authors:
Rafia S Rasu; Christine M Hunter; Alan L Peterson; Heather M Maruska; John P Foreyt
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.     Date:  2010-04-01
Journal Detail:
Title:  The American journal of managed care     Volume:  16     ISSN:  1936-2692     ISO Abbreviation:  Am J Manag Care     Publication Date:  2010 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-04-07     Completed Date:  2010-06-21     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9613960     Medline TA:  Am J Manag Care     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  e98-104     Citation Subset:  H    
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, University of Missouri, Kansas City, 64106, USA. rassur@umkc.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Behavior Therapy / economics*,  methods
Body Mass Index
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Female
Humans
Internet*
Male
Middle Aged
Obesity / therapy*
Program Evaluation
Questionnaires
Texas
Treatment Outcome
Weight Loss*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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