BackgroundObesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. It is implicated in the development of a variety of chronic disease states and is associated with increased levels of inflammation and oxidative stress. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of Medifast's meal replacement program (MD) on body weight, body composition, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress among obese individuals following a period of weight loss and weight maintenance compared to a an isocaloric, food-based diet (FB).MethodsThis 40-week randomized, controlled clinical trial included 90 obese adults with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 50 kg/m2, randomly assigned to one of two weight loss programs for 16 weeks and then followed for a 24-week period of weight maintenance. The dietary interventions consisted of Medifast's meal replacement program for weight loss and weight maintenance, or a self-selected, isocaloric, food-based meal plan.ResultsWeight loss at 16 weeks was significantly better in the Medifast group (MD) versus the food-based group (FB) (12.3% vs. 6.9%), and while significantly more weight was regained during weight maintenance on MD versus FB, overall greater weight loss was achieved on MD versus FB. Significantly more of the MD participants lost ≥ 5% of their initial weight at week 16 (93% vs. 55%) and week 40 (62% vs. 30%). There was no difference in satiety observed between the two groups during the weight loss phase. Significant improvements in body composition were also observed in MD participants compared to FB at week 16 and week 40. At week 40, both groups experienced improvements in biochemical outcomes and other clinical indicators.ConclusionsOur data suggest that the meal replacement diet plan evaluated was an effective strategy for producing robust initial weight loss and for achieving improvements in a number of health-related parameters during weight maintenance, including inflammation and oxidative stress, two key factors more recently shown to underlie our most common chronic diseases.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01011491

Abstract:The effect of thermogenic meal replacement beverages (TMRB) containing 90 mg EGCG and 100 mg of caffeine on resting energy expenditure (REE) was tested. Thirty adults (19 women, 11 men) were stratified into 3 groups: lean (n=10, BMI 21.5 ± 2.1); overweight/obese (OW) (n=10, BMI 29.8 ± 2.7); or weight maintainers (WM) (n=10, BMI 28.8 ± 4.0). Following an overnight fast, baseline measurements, including REE via indirect calorimetry, were performed. REE was repeated at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after consuming a TMRB. Appetite was assessed via visual analogue scale at baseline, 30 minutes and 120 minutes after the TMRB. Mean 24-hour REE was increased 5.9 ± 2.5% overall (p=0.000), 5.7 ± 3.1% among lean subjects (p=0.0002), 5.3 ± 1.4% among OW subjects (p=0.000), and 6.8 ± 2.7% among WM (p=0.0007). Appetite was significantly reduced 30 minutes after the TMRB (p=0.0002). TMRB appear to be a promising weight control tool.

ObjectiveA RCT was conducted to determine the effectiveness of Medifast's 5 & 1 meal replacement program on body weight and body composition compared to an isocaloric food‐based diet plan for a 4‐month period of weight loss.MethodsSubjects 90 obese adults randomly assigned to 2 groups: Medifast (MD) (n=45; 30 women, 15 men; BMI 38.5 ± 6.8) and Food‐based (FB) (n=45; 34 women, 11 men; BMI 37.8 ± 4.5). Subjects met biweekly with RDs to have anthropometrics measured and for dietary and behavioral counseling. Weight and bp were measured biweekly. Waist circumference (WC), % body fat, lean muscle mass (LMM), visceral fat, and pulse were measured every 4 weeks.ResultsSubjects lost 2x more body weight on Medifast [MD ‐29.8lbs, FB ‐14.4lbs (p=0.000); % wt loss: MD ‐7.0, FB ‐1.2 (p=0.002)]; 5x more body fat [% Δ in body fat: MD ‐13.6, FB ‐2.7 (p=0.001)]; improved WC [WC Δ: MD ‐13cm, FB ‐8.2cm (p=0.047); % Δ WC: MD ‐11.2, FB ‐7.2 (p=0.069)]; and had 7x greater % reduction in visceral fat: MD ‐25.4, FB ‐3.7 (p=0.001), while maintaining LMM [% wt loss as LMM: MD 16.6, FB 47.3 (p=0.002)]. No significant between groups differences were found for bp or pulse. Retention rates (64% vs. 44%) and program adherence was higher in the MD group.ConclusionAt 4 months, Medifast's 5&1 meal replacement program out‐performed an isocaloric food‐based diet in weight loss and body composition. This research was funded by Medifast, Inc., Owings Mills, MD.