Vicki Brown1,2, Jaithri Ananthapavan2, Diana Sonntag3,4, Eng Joo Tan1,5, Alison Hayes1,5, Marj Moodie1,2. 1. Centre for Research Excellence in the Early Prevention of Obesity in Childhood, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 2. Deakin Health Economics, Centre for Population Health Research, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. 3. Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Mannheim Medical Faculty of the Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany. 4. Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK. 5. School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early childhood obesity prevention is gaining increasing importance, as the prevalence of children with overweight and obesity aged 5 years and under increases worldwide. Along with understanding the effectiveness of obesity interventions, it is important to understand the cost-effectiveness of interventions over time. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the long-term health benefits and health care cost-savings of reductions in BMI for the Australian population of children aged between 2 and 5 years. METHODS: A proportional multistate, multiple cohort lifetable model estimated the health benefits and health care cost-savings related to hypothetical reductions in BMI, informed by a scoping review of systematic reviews reporting the effectiveness of obesity prevention interventions in preschool aged children. RESULTS: Results suggest significant potential for cost-effectiveness of obesity prevention interventions in preschool-aged children if intervention effect can be maintained. A relatively small population level reduction in BMI z-score (-0.13 BMIz) in children aged 2 to 5 years would result in 36 496 health-adjusted life years saved (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 30 283-42 945) and health care cost-savings of approximately $301 million (95% UI $234 million-$369 million) if modelled over the lifetime. CONCLUSIONS: Scenario results highlight the importance of obesity intervention in the early years of life.
BACKGROUND: Early childhood obesity prevention is gaining increasing importance, as the prevalence of children with overweight and obesity aged 5 years and under increases worldwide. Along with understanding the effectiveness of obesity interventions, it is important to understand the cost-effectiveness of interventions over time. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the long-term health benefits and health care cost-savings of reductions in BMI for the Australian population of children aged between 2 and 5 years. METHODS: A proportional multistate, multiple cohort lifetable model estimated the health benefits and health care cost-savings related to hypothetical reductions in BMI, informed by a scoping review of systematic reviews reporting the effectiveness of obesity prevention interventions in preschool aged children. RESULTS: Results suggest significant potential for cost-effectiveness of obesity prevention interventions in preschool-aged children if intervention effect can be maintained. A relatively small population level reduction in BMI z-score (-0.13 BMIz) in children aged 2 to 5 years would result in 36 496 health-adjusted life years saved (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 30 283-42 945) and health care cost-savings of approximately $301 million (95% UI $234 million-$369 million) if modelled over the lifetime. CONCLUSIONS: Scenario results highlight the importance of obesity intervention in the early years of life.
Authors: Neil Howlett; Kim P J Roberts; Di Swanston; Laurel D Edmunds; Thomas A Willis Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-01-06 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Sharea Ijaz; James Nobles; Laura Johnson; Theresa Moore; Jelena Savović; Russell Jago Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-20 Impact factor: 3.390