Lifestyle Interventions by Registered Dietitians Reduce Health-Care Costs

Adding a lifestyle intervention led by a registered dietitian to the typical care provided to obese people with type 2 diabetes does not increase overall health-care costs and may result in cost savings, according to researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

In a study of nearly 150 people, comparing "lifestyle case management" provided by a registered dietitian to the "usual care" given to obese adults with type 2 diabetes, researchers found the addition of a "clinically feasible, modest-cost lifestyle intervention involving an RD" did not increase total costs and in some cases saved up to $8,046 per person per year compared with usual medical care.

The researchers conclude the study provides "preliminary evidence that moderate-intensity lifestyle intervention using a registered dietitian as a lifestyle case management reduces risk, improves quality of life and does so without increasing health-care costs. Given the growing prevalence of both diabetes and obesity and the substantial burden of health care costs to patients, employers and society, effective interventions that are at least cost-neutral should be welcome additions to comprehensive medical care."