Cost effectiveness of a weight reduction program in reducing the pregnancy risks of obese clients of family planning clinics

A weight reduction program was conducted for obese females who attend Virginia Health Department family planning clinics. The 8-week program, using behavior modification techniques in conjunction with nutrition education showed weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week; increase in nutrition knowledge; and changes in food habits, behavior patterns, and activity levels. The program was subjected to cost benefit/cost effectiveness analysis, varying the number of participants, the discount rate, and the number of years into the future when benefits accrued. The low cost of the program was instrumental in producing a program cost effective in reducing the pregnancy risks of obese females, under almost all conditions tested. Because the number of subjects was so small, none of the results can be considered to have implications which can be generalized, but they do point out areas for further investigation. These areas include procedures for recruitment and techniques to reduce attrition. Subjects need to be followed beyond the 8-week program to determine if weight loss is continued and maintained.