Oral Presentation ESA-SRB-ANZOS 2025 in conjunction with ENSA

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community-based interventions to prevent childhood obesity in Australia and the Pacific (127068)

Jane Jacobs 1 , Vicki Brown 2 , Steve Allender 1 , Liliana Orellana 3 , Rachel Novotny 4 , Luke Wolfenden 5 , Kaitlyn McKenna 1 , Melanie Nichols 1
  1. Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
  2. Deakin Health Economics, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
  3. Deakin University, Geelong, VICTORIA, Australia
  4. Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Manoa, Hawaii, USA
  5. School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia

Aims: The Precision Evidence for Childhood Obesity Prevention (PRECIS) project aimed to generate new insights into the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and broader benefits of child- and adolescent-focused obesity prevention community-based interventions (CBIs) from Australia and the Pacific. This abstract presents findings from this four year project.

Methods: Data from ten large obesity prevention CBIs were collated and harmonised. Individual participant data meta-analyses were conducted to understand intervention effects on measured anthropometric outcomes, self-reported weight-related behaviours, health related quality of life (HRQoL) and subsequent economic impacts. Additionally, qualitative research methods were used to understand the broader benefits of obesity prevention CBIs from the perspective of multiple stakeholders (funders, researchers, community members).  

Results: Meta-analysis of participant-level data from six Australian and four Pacific studies (n= 26,003 baseline; n= 22,565 endpoint observations) found no overall intervention effect. Sub-group analysis found CBIs slowed weight gain in Australian studies (BMIz difference: -0.04 (95%CI -0.07, -0.01), and were more effective in students from lower compared to higher socio-economic areas (BMIz difference = -0.10 (-0.18, -0.02)). Additionally, effectiveness was detected in studies with longitudinal design, but not repeat cross-sectional design, and for children within optimal weight range at baseline, but not those with overweight or obesity at baseline. Economic analysis found potential healthcare savings of AUD$496M (AUD$421M-574M) if CBIs were implemented across Australia. Few significant results were found for behavioural outcomes, however CBIs had a positive impact on HRQoL, particularly in younger children, boys and those attending schools in lower socio-economic areas. Qualitative interviews highlighted benefits of CBIs beyond obesity prevention, including social engagement and inclusion, empowering communities, influencing local policies and environmental benefits.

Conclusion: The PRECIS project found obesity prevention CBIs to be effective and cost-effective in some settings, and has highlighted benefits of this approach beyond obesity prevention.