Digital Weight-Loss App Saves Money and Health in Germany

In Germany, being overweight costs the health system a lot. About one out of every ten euros spent on care goes to obesity‑related issues. Many people try digital health apps to lose weight. These apps have shown they can help people drop pounds in the short term.

Researchers built a computer model to see what happens if someone uses the Oviva Direkt app for ten years. They started with a group of people aged 46, whose body mass index ranged from 30 to 45. The model used six‑month and yearly steps after an initial six‑week period. It tracked illnesses like type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and sleep apnea. Costs included both medical bills and lost work time. Benefits were measured in life years and quality‑adjusted life years.

Under the main assumptions, the app saved money compared to usual care. It cut costs by roughly 3,512 euros per person over the decade. At the same time, it added about 0.07 quality‑adjusted life years, which is close to three and a half weeks of perfect health. Direct medical expenses fell by nearly 520 euros. The chance of having type 2 diabetes dropped by 1.6 points, meaning people lived eight months less with the disease. Other scenarios where weight stayed off or came back still showed the app was a good deal.

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