title: Effectiveness of a Medifast meal replacement program on weight, body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese adults: a multicenter systematic retrospective chart review study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent medical guidelines emphasize the importance of actively treating overweight and obesity with diet and lifestyle intervention to achieve ≥ 5% weight loss in a 6-month period. Commercial programs offer one approach provided there is evidence of their efficacy and safety. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Medifast® 4 & 2 & 1 Plan™ on weight loss, body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic retrospective chart review of 310 overweight and obese clients following the Medifast 4 & 2 & 1 Plan at one of 21 Medifast Weight Control Centers® was conducted. Data were recorded electronically and key data points were independently verified. The primary endpoint was change from baseline body weight at 12 weeks. Within group paired t-tests were used to examine changes from baseline in a completers population. Differences between gender and age subgroups were examined using bivariate t-tests and mixed model regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the primary endpoint at 12 weeks, body weight among completers (n = 185) was reduced by a mean of 10.9 ± 5.6 kg (-10.1%, p < 0.0001), and at 24 weeks (n = 81) mean weight was reduced by 16.0 ± 7.9 kg (-14.3%). At 12 and 24 weeks, 85% and 96% of those remaining on the plan, respectively, had lost ≥ 5% of their baseline body weight. Lean mass was preserved to within 5% of baseline throughout the 24 weeks, and fat mass represented ≥ 80% of the body weight lost from 12 weeks onward. Men, women, seniors (≥ 65 years), and non-seniors (<65 years) all had significant weight reductions with preservation of lean mass. Significant improvements in blood pressure, pulse and waist-to-hip ratio were observed. Mean weight regain among the subset who entered a formal maintenance phase was <2% during an average follow-up of 34 weeks. The meal plan was well tolerated, and program adherence was >85%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 4 & 2 & 1 Plan used at Medifast Weight Control Centers was effective for weight loss, preservation of lean mass and improvement in cardiometabolic risk factors. The plan was generally well tolerated in a broad population of overweight and obese adults. #NCT02150837.
authors.affiliation: Department of Scientific and Clinical Affairs, Medifast, Inc, 11445 Cronhill Drive, Owings Mills, MD, 21117, USA. ccoleman@choosemedifast.com.
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.affiliation: Department of Scientific and Clinical Affairs, Medifast, Inc, 11445 Cronhill Drive, Owings Mills, MD, 21117, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kiel
authors.affiliation: Independent Consultant, Clifton Park, NY, 12065, USA.
authors.forename: Andrea H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Mitola
authors.affiliation: Department of Scientific and Clinical Affairs, Medifast, Inc, 11445 Cronhill Drive, Owings Mills, MD, 21117, USA.
authors.forename: Janice S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Langford
authors.affiliation: Department of Scientific and Clinical Affairs, Medifast, Inc, 11445 Cronhill Drive, Owings Mills, MD, 21117, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Department of Scientific and Clinical Affairs, Medifast, Inc, 11445 Cronhill Drive, Owings Mills, MD, 21117, USA.
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Arterburn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000178:diet therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors