A systematic review of economic evaluations involving childhood obesity

Kettles, Killoran

A systematic review of economic evaluations involving childhood obesity

Thesis / Dissertation

2025

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Health Economics Unit

Faculty

Faculty of Health Sciences

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Owing to the limited resources in developing countries, effective use of funds is necessary in the health care sector. Understanding the economic burden of prevalent health problems and ensuring cost-effective treatment thereof is, therefore, an important part of policy development. In developing countries, childhood obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study, therefore, examines the economic evaluations around childhood obesity and its interventions. METHODS: A search was conducted on PubMed. Economic evaluations reporting quantitative data were included in the review. Data was extracted and grouped according to common themes. Findings were then described and reported, highlighting similar findings and needs for further research. RESULTS: 105 eligible articles were included in the systematic review. Of these articles, 39 assessed the economic consequences of childhood obesity, with 27 focusing on healthcare costs thereof. The other 66 studies were largely cost-effectiveness analyses of various interventions. The studies examining economic consequences demonstrated that children who were classified as overweight or obese had higher healthcare expenditures than their healthy weight counterparts. Key findings regarding interventions illustrated that the following are cost-effective in addressing childhood obesity: early childhood interventions, school-based interventions targeting physical activity, sleep interventions and policy changes. The lack of studies conducted in low and middle-income countries highlighted the need for further research. CONCLUSION: It is evident that childhood obesity is a pressing health concern with substantial economic consequences within the healthcare sector. Various interventions have been studied, with regards to their effectiveness at managing this illness. Early childhood interventions and school-based programs seemed to have the most supporting evidence regarding their economic benefits; however, further research is needed to determine their comparative effectiveness and their effectiveness in resource-limited settings

Keywords

childhood obesity

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