A Systematic Review of the evidence for Non-surgical weight management for adults with severe obesity: What is cost effective and what are the implications for the Design of health Services?

Elisabet Jacobsen* (Corresponding Author), Dwayne Boyers* (Corresponding Author), Paul Manson, Alison Avenell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose of Review
Severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2) increases premature mortality and reduces quality-of-life. Obesity-related disease (ORD) places substantial burden on health systems. This review summarises the cost-effectiveness evidence for non-surgical weight management programmes (WMPs) for adults with severe obesity.

Recent Findings
Whilst evidence shows bariatric surgery is often cost-effective, there is no clear consensus on the cost-effectiveness of non-surgical WMPs.

Summary
Thirty-two studies were included. Most were short-term evaluations that did not capture the long-term costs and consequences of ORD. Decision models often included only a subset of relevant ORDs, and made varying assumptions about the rate of weight regain over time. A lack of sensitivity analyses limited interpretation of results. Heterogeneity in the definition of WMPs and usual care prevents formal evidence synthesis. We were unable to establish the most cost-effective WMPs. Addressing these limitations may help future studies provide more robust cost-effectiveness evidence for decision makers.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)356-385
Number of pages30
JournalCurrent Obesity Reports
Volume11
Issue number4
Early online date21 Nov 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2022

Keywords

  • Severe obesity
  • Weight management programmes
  • Systematic review
  • Cost-Effectiveness

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