Economic benefits of reducing childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity in Australia

Autor: Joseph Carrello, Thomas Lung, Louise Baur, Alison Hayes
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Public Health Research & Practice, Vol 34, Iss 3 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2204-2091
DOI: 10.17061/phrp3432421
Popis: Objectives: The Australian Government, through the National Obesity Strategy 2022–2032, has set an aspirational goal of reducing the prevalence of childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity by 5% by 2030 (from 25% to 20%). Our objective was to quantify the long-term economic benefits of achieving this goal. Methods: Using a microsimulation model and a synthetic cohort of Australian children and adolescents aged 4–17 years, we estimated the excess per capita lifetime costs of overweight and obesity. Using these results and population projections for 2030, we estimated the potential lifetime cost savings that could be achieved through attaining the National Obesity Strategy goal. Results: Compared with their peers of a healthy weight, children and adolescents with overweight and obesity were estimated to incur, per capita, excess lifetime costs (discounted) of approximately $19 700 and $46 700, respectively (in 2030 Australian dollars). Achieving the National Obesity Strategy’s goal was estimated to save approximately $7.44 billion, predominantly through reductions in lifetime obesity-related healthcare costs and premature mortality. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the considerable economic benefits that could be achieved by reducing the current prevalence of childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity in Australia; they provide justification for investment in prevention and treatment for this demographic.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals