Preventing Childhood Obesity - Evidence Policy and Practice.pdf

Economic evaluation of obesity interventions
discussed earlier, there are issues other than the technical
cost – effectiveness results which need to be considered
in the decision - making process
Conclusions
In terms of obesity prevention, health economics
facilitates the performance of four separate but interrelated
research tasks. Arguably, in its simplest roles,
health economics enables us to “ describe ” current or
predict future activities, health status and resource
use. Most of its current contribution has centered on
these two simpler aspects. However, whilst knowledge
of the magnitude of the obesity problem may be of
value when advocating for funds, this type of economic
work alone does little to address this pressing
public health issue, unless integrated with the more
complex tasks of “explanation ” and “evaluation ” .
The fight against obesity requires a “ solutions -
based ” rather than a “problem-focused ” approach. It
is economic evaluation that offers the most scope for
progress, but also the most challenges. Quality evaluations
of potential interventions are required, so that
policy - makers have reliable information about “ what
works ” and “ what offers value for money ” to underpin
obesity investment decisions. However, the types
of interventions that offer the best prospects for preventing
obesity are most likely to be in areas that lend
themselves less readily to conventional evaluation
methods. Furthermore, cost – effectiveness analyses of
single, stand - alone interventions are not enough.
Economists need to develop methodologies for combining
the technical analyses of interventions with
broader issues affecting decision making, and of combining,
in a meaningful way, obesity outcomes with
any non-health benefits. Finally, to make an effective
contribution to the field, health economists must
move beyond evaluation to priority setting, and assist
in the packaging of interventions into coordinated
obesity prevention strategies within given budget
constraints.
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