The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Unca_Tim]

- Participants using Medifast lost twice as much weight and were twice as
likely to complete both phases of the study compared with those following a
diet based on the American Diabetes Association dietary guidelines -

- 24% of Medifast users decreased diabetic medication after 34-week weight
loss phase, compared to 0% of participants on the standard food diet -

OWINGS MILLS, Md., June 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Researchers from
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health released the results of an
86-week diabetic weight loss study that found participants using Medifast's
portion-controlled, meal replacement program lost twice as much weight and
were twice as likely to complete the study as participants following a
standard food diet based on the dietary guidelines of the American Diabetes
Association (ADA). Additionally, 24 percent of the Medifast users decreased
or eliminated their diabetes medication, compared to 0 percent on the standard
food diet.
The study, "Long-Term Efficacy of 2 Diet Plans for Type 2 Diabetes on
Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance," was officially presented by Johns Hopkins
Bloomberg School of Public Health Associate Professor Dr. Lawrence J. Cheskin,
M.D., during the American Diabetes Association's 65th Annual Scientific
Session in San Diego this past weekend.
Dr. Cheskin's study enlisted 112 overweight or obese people with type 2
diabetes using two weight loss approaches of equal caloric prescription - a
portion-controlled, supplement-based diet (Medifast) and a traditional
reduced-calorie diet based on the ADA's recommended dietary guidelines. The
study tracked the participants' progress over 86 weeks (approximately a year
and eight months), including an initial weight loss period of 34 weeks,
followed by a 52-week maintenance phase.
"Weight loss is critical for controlling type 2 diabetes, but individuals
with the disease are faced with health issues that make it significantly more
difficult to lose weight than people without the disease," explained Dr.
Cheskin. "While type 2 diabetes cannot be cured, losing weight can
significantly improve one's quality of life by reducing or even eliminating
the need for daily medication and/or frequent treatment. People with type 2
diabetes are in need of weight control options they can commit to long term."
According to the results, the Medifast group lost twice as much weight and
was twice as likely to complete the study as the group on the standard food
diet. Of patients completing the initial weight loss phase (34 weeks),
average weight loss was 16 pounds on Medifast and 8.1 pounds on the standard
diet. After completing the additional 52-week maintenance period, average
weight loss after 86 weeks was 13 pounds for those who received Medifast in
Maintenance vs. 5.3 pounds on the standard diet. Also, 44 percent of the
Medifast participants maintained more than a five percent body weight loss vs.
only 14 percent on the standard diet.
"There is no room for miscalculating portions when using portion-
controlled foods, which might explain in part why participants on Medifast
achieved superior weight loss results and demonstrated significantly better
completion rates," added Dr. Cheskin. "In addition, meal replacements are
easy to follow and require less effort, which is why they can be an effective
weight loss option for many people in serious need of losing weight."
A crucial finding was a significant drop in diabetes medication intake for
the Medifast group. After the 34-week weight loss phase, 24 percent of the
Medifast participants either decreased or eliminated their diabetes
medication. None of the participants on the standard food diet could say the
same.
"The difference in diabetes medication intake between the two diets
reflects that Medifast was significantly more effective at helping to control
type 2 diabetes than a standard food diet," explained Dr. Cheskin.
Brad MacDonald, CEO of Medifast, Inc., states, "This study reinforces the
fact that with Medifast, people not only lose weight, but their health
improves as well."

Key Findings

Medifast ADA
Average weight loss after weight loss
phase (week 34) 16 lbs 8.1 lbs

Average weight loss after weight loss and
weight maintenance phases combined (week 86) 13 lbs 5.3 lbs

Percentage of participants maintaining
at least a 5% weight loss (week 86) 44% 14%

Participants completing the program
for the full 86 weeks 16 7

Percentage of participants that reduced
their diabetes medication after 34 weeks 24% 0%

Dr. Lawrence J. Cheskin, M.D., F.A.C.P., is a board-certified internist
and Associate Professor of Human Nutrition at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School
of Public Health. He is the director and founder of the Johns Hopkins Weight
Management Center. He is also the principal investigator on a number of
research grants and is a frequent contributor to research and popular articles
on weight management.
Dr. Cheskin's study, "Long-Term Efficacy of 2 Diet Plans for Type 2
Diabetes on Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance," was funded by Medifast.

[LilMsTexas]

Of patients completing the initial weight loss phase (34 weeks),
average weight loss was 16 pounds on Medifast and 8.1 pounds on the standard
diet. After completing the additional 52-week maintenance period, average
weight loss after 86 weeks was 13 pounds for those who received Medifast in
Maintenance vs. 5.3 pounds on the standard diet.

Is this saying the average person only lost 16 lbs in 34 weeks on average??? And average weight loss of 13 lbs after 86 weeks on maintenance?? This doesn't read right to me. Can you clarify these results Tim?

[Unca_Tim]

Looks like they needed a TSFL health advisor and this forum to be compliant...

[LilMsTexas]

So I'm reading it right????? Seriously.......I want to understand these results because this is a tool for us diabetics to use in educating our doctors. I could lose 16lbs in 9 months just giving up my Dr.Pepper! This is ridiculous. We have GOT to be reading this wrong???

[Unca_Tim]

I'm not real sure Christi,
Looks like they sent them out the door, and never talked to them again til the study was over...

I'd like to see the actual stats and details somewhere.

We've got the TSFL conference coming up in a couple weeks. Maybe we can find someone that can shed some light on it.

[LilMsTexas]

Thanks Tim,
I believe a true understanding of this report is critical for diabetics joining this program in the future. With so many fly-by-night weight loss programs we have a real opportunity to educate our physicians and get more support for future medifasters. I will be looking forward to your report after conference

And Vicky...I am a Dr.Pepper FREAK!! I have had to just switch to diet coke because I had to stay away from Dr. Pepper allllllllllll together!

[doglover]

Christy and Vicky - I was a Dr. Pepper freakazoid in the worst way! It was so bad that I began needing to ahve it when I woke up. One day my poor hubby had to go tot he store at like 7 am and get one for me as I needed it bad. Then I went to see my OB-Gyn and was having diabetes like symptoms. She talked to me for a LONG time and Jan 1 of some year (several years back, can't remember now) I snapped. I went cold turkey on DP and have not had one since! It was a true - really scarey - sugar addiction for me.

Anywho - that't my DP story!
Donna

[Jan]

Christy,
I was pouring over the report too. I agree with Tim -- the results indicate the individuals were given the program and then had to take care of themselves. No forum to talk with others, no one to help them-- no Health Advisors to check out what was going on. It was not monitored by TSFL. Just think if people did that well on their own (some did cut down on meds) and had some weight loss (not great) how much better they would do if they were part of the Make Me Thinner group where we keep close check and steer people away from the pitfalls. I myself have one diabetic who is past 65 yrs old and her sugar went down l57 points in two weeks!! Her Dr in pretty impressed as she couldn't get it down before. I think as the word gets out more and more people will be looking to us to help -- and we will.
jan