Randomized controlled trial of the Medifast 5 & 1 Plan for weight loss

OBJECTIVE: The Medifast 5 & 1 Plan (MD) is a portion-controlled, nutritionally-balanced, low-fat weight-loss plan. We studied the effects of MD compared with a reduced-energy, food-based diet (FB) on body weight, waist circumference, fat mass and other measures in adults. DESIGN: We conducted a two-parallel-arm, randomized, controlled trial comparing MD to FB over 52 weeks. A total of 120 men and women aged 19-65 years with BMI >= 35 and <= 50 kg m(-2) were randomized to MD (n = 60) or FB (n = 60). Follow-up included a 26-week weight-loss phase and 26-week weight-maintenance phase. Anthropometric, body composition, biochemical and appetite/satiety measures were performed at baseline and at 26 and 52 weeks. An intention-to-treat, linear mixed models analysis was the primary analysis. RESULTS: Fifty MD subjects (83.3%) and 45 FB subjects (75.0%) completed the study on assigned treatment. At 26 weeks, race-adjusted mean weight loss was 7.5 kg in MD subjects vs 3.8 kg in FB subjects (P = 0.0002 for difference); reduction in waist circumference was 5.7 cm in MD vs 3.7 cm in FB (P = 0.0064); and fat mass loss was 6.4 kg in MD vs 3.7 kg in FB (P = 0.0011). At 52 weeks, the corresponding reductions were 4.7 vs 1.9 kg (P = 0.0004); 5.0 vs 3.6 cm (P = 0.0082); and 4.1 vs 1.9 kg (P = 0.0019) in MD and FB subjects, respectively. CONCLUSION: In obese adults, MD resulted in significantly greater reductions in body weight and fat compared with an FB diet for 1 year after randomization.