Cost of a Primary Care-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Intervention
2014
This study evaluated the cost of a primary care-based obesity prevention intervention (High Five for Kids) for children ages 2-6 years, compared to usual care. U.S. pediatric guidelines recommend that childhood obesity counseling be done in primary care settings. The clinical trial aimed to modify children’s nutrition and TV viewing habits through a motivational interviewing intervention. The authors assessed the visit-related costs for children enrolled in the trial, and found that the mean costs for children in the intervention group were $259, compared to $63 for children in the control group – a difference of $196. While this study estimated the costs of the intervention, a cost-effectiveness study would be needed to determine whether the intervention is good value for money.
Cost of a Primary Care-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Intervention
Source:
Wright DR, Taveras EM, Gillman MW, Horan CM, Hohman KH, Gortmaker SL, Prosser LA. The Cost of a Primary Care-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Intervention. BMC Health Services Research 2014; 14 (44). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-14-44