Current and Future Challenges Regarding Estimating Costs to Determine the Value of Interventions to Manage Unhealthy Weight

Large systems-level changes are needed to address the high prevalence of childhood obesity in the US. In a world with many competing priorities, stakeholders need to understand the value of investing in childhood obesity policy changes to prioritize funding clinical and policy interventions. The study by Kumar et al in this issue of JAMA Pediatrics aims to estimate the association between children’s body mass index (BMI) class and medical expenditures in the US. Using electronic medical record (EMR) and claims data for privately insured youth, this cross-sectional study found that, relative to healthy weight, having underweight, overweight, and moderate and severe obesity were associated with higher total health care expenditures among those aged 2 to 19 years in 2018.