The cost-effectiveness of the LighterLife weight management programme as an intervention for obesity in England.

Lighter Life Total is a very low calorie diet total dietary replacement weight reduction programme that provides Foodpacks, behavioural change therapy and group support appropriate for people with a body mass index of 30 kg m−2 or above. A model was built to assess the cost-effectiveness of Lighter Life Total, compared with (i) no treatment, Counterweight, Weight Watchers and Slimming World, as a treatment for obesity in those with a body mass index of 30 kg m−2 or above, and (ii) no treatment, gastric banding and gastric bypass in those with a body mass index of 40 kg m−2 or above. Change in body mass index over time was modelled, and prevalence of comorbidities (diabetes, coronary heart disease and colorectal cancer) was calculated. Costs (of intervention and treatment for comorbidities) and quality-adjusted life years were calculated. Lighter Life Total was cost-effective against no treatment, Counterweight, Weight Watchers and Slimming World in the 30+ kg m−2 group (incremental cost-effectiveness ratios: £11 895, £12 453, £12 585 and £12 233, respectively). In the 40+ kg m−2 group, Lighter Life Total was cost-effective against no treatment (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio: £4356), but less effective than gastric banding and bypass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]