Journal
JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH
Volume 78, Issue 12, Pages 619-624Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2008.00357.x
Keywords
cost-effectiveness; after-school program; physical activity
Categories
Funding
- National Institute of Health [DK63391]
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES [R01DK063391] Funding Source: NIH RePORTER
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A school-based obesity prevention study (Medical College of Georgia FitKid Project) started in the fall of 2003 in 18 elementary schools. Half of the schools were randomized to an after-school program that included moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, healthy snacks, homework assistance, and academic enrichment. All third graders were invited to enroll. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness (CE) of the first-year intervention. Standard CE analysis methods and a societal perspective were used. Program delivery costs incurred during the first-year intervention and the usual after-school care costs that would occur in the absence of the intervention were estimated (in 2003 dollars). Net intervention costs were calculated by subtracting the usual after-school care costs from the intervention costs. The effectiveness of the intervention was measured as percent body fat (%BF) reduction compared with a control condition. The CE was assessed as the net intervention cost divided by the effectiveness of the intervention. The intervention costs totaled $174,070, $558/student, or $956/student who attended >= 40% of the intervention sessions. The usual after-school care costs were estimated at $639/student. Students who attended >= 40% of the intervention reduced %BF by 0.76% (95% confidence interval: -1.42 to -0.09) at an additional cost of $317/student. Subjects who attended >= 40% of the intervention achieved a significant reduction in %BF at a relatively low cost. School-based obesity prevention programs of this type are likely to be a cost-effective use of public funds and warrant careful consideration by policy makers and program planners.
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