Premium Essay

Comparison of Weight Loss Plans

In:

Submitted By tiajones
Words 1261
Pages 6
Comparison of Medifast® and Weight Watchers® Weight Loss Plans
Tia Jones
COM/170
April 25, 2014
Nathan Coley

Are you struggling with weight loss? Did you know that 95% of weight loss plans fail long-term? While Medifast® and Weight Watchers are both effective weight loss plans, they differ in success rate, cost, and health risks. Do you believe that based on these reasons, one weight loss is preferable to another? Both of these plans are two of the most popular weight loss options available in today’s marketplace. How do you decide which is the best plan for you? Is their advertising true? As this journey begins, the curtain will be lifted to see what is really behind each of these weight loss options and then you can decide for yourself. Each of us deep down would like to loss a few pounds to fit into the new summer bathing suit. But what really is going on with each of the plans? Medifast® has been around since 1980, but has no documented results on how many people have lost weight and who has been keeping the weight off. A small study, funded and designed by Medifast® randomly assigned 90 obese adults either to the 5&1 plan or a calorie-restricted diet based on government guidelines (Davis, 2010). After 16 weeks, those in the Medifast® group had lost an average of 30 pounds compared with 14 pounds for the other group. But 24 weeks later, after dieters gradually upped their calories, the Medifast® dieters had regained more than 10 pounds, while the others had put back about two pounds. At week 40, the Medifast® group had less body fat and more muscle mass than at the start, but didn’t significantly outperform the control group. By the end, almost half of the Medifast® group and more than half of the control group had dropped out (Davis, 2010). Weight Watchers® along with Dr. Michael Lowe, who is an individual consultant, performed their own

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

The Long-Term Safety and Effectiveness of Low-Carbohydrate Diets

...with "losing weight" continues, many human beings are turning to low-carbohydrate diets consisting of the Atkins weight loss plan. With overall book sales over 45 million, many medical doctors are beginning to ask questions about the safety of a excessive fat, excessive protein weight loss program. There have been many brief-term studies reporting that a low-carbohydrate food regimen may be powerful for weight reduction. unluckily, most research have been based on facts gathered for ninety days or less. Dieters and medical doctors alike could benefit from lengthy-time period research reporting on safety and weight reduction after a 12 months or greater. In 2003, there have been three trials reporting on the lengthy-term effectiveness and facet results of the Atkins weight loss plan. these studies accompanied obese dieters who were following the Atkins low-carbohydrate eating regimen. The effects had been then in comparison to the general low-fats weight loss program, which has been endorsed by docs for years. From the outcomes of these studies we have to determine if weight loss equals health and what should be taken into consideration perfect chance? weight reduction changed into the primary focus of maximum of the studies completed at the Atkins food regimen. Dieters are searching out effects and a lower in weight, no longer necessarily fat, is the closing aim. All 3 studies confirmed extra weight loss after six months of a low-carbohydrate weight loss program than...

Words: 1102 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Metabical-Case Study

...rP os t 4183 APRIL 14, 2010 JOHN A. QUELCH HEATHER BECKHAM op yo Metabical: Pricing, Packaging, and Demand Forecasting for a New Weight-Loss Drug In April 2008, after 10 years of testing and $400 million in research and development costs, Cambridge Sciences Pharmaceuticals’ (CSP) newest prescription drug, Metabical (pronounced Mehtuh-bye-cal), was about to receive its coveted Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. CSP was an international healthcare company with over $25 billion in sales in 2007. The company, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing, manufacturing, and marketing products that treated metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, and immune deficiencies, as well as other chronic and acute medical conditions. Metabical was part of a strategic initiative that would allow CSP to enter the $3.74 billion market for weight-control products in the United States.1 tC CSP’s chief marketing officer, Bernard Long, said of the new product: No Metabical is revolutionary. It will be the first and only prescription drug to receive FDA approval to meet the needs of the millions of individuals struggling with moderate weight-loss goals. Previous prescription weight-loss drugs had negative side effects that, in the agency’s judgment, outweighed the benefits provided to individuals who were not considered obese. Metabical will be approved for use by those looking to shed between 10 to 30 pounds. Initial reviews...

Words: 4511 - Pages: 19

Premium Essay

Diet Comparison

...Weight Loss Plans – A Comparison Controlling one’s weight can be difficult in this age of fast food and easy access to a variety of foods. Once weight is gained, it can be a daunting task to remove the unwanted weight. There are many programs out there to assist with weight loss. Two popular weight loss programs are the Atkins Program and Weight Watchers. Each has a relatively simple program to encourage weight loss; however, they vary widely. Atkins is based on a plan written by Robert Atkins 40 year ago.1 He based his weight loss theory less intake of carbohydrates would force the body to turn stored fat into fuel.2 The program is divided into three stages: induction, ongoing weight loss and maintenance.3 In the induction phase the dieter is limiting carbohydrate intake to 20 grams per day. Protein is unlimited and obtained by eating meats, eggs and cheese. The 20 grams of carbohydrates per day are obtained through allowed vegetables. During this phase, breads, alcohol, nuts, caffeine, seeds and legumes are strictly banned. During the ongoing weight loss phase, the dieter still limits the total carbohydrates but is able to add some back. This new grams of carbohydrates should be obtained by more vegetables, seeds and nuts. Low carb alcoholic beverages are now allowed. This can, however, slow continued weight loss. During this phase, the dieter needs to monitor weight and carb intake. When the dieter’s weight plateaus, the dieter either needs to decrease the...

Words: 1033 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Nutrisystem Analysis

...2016 Buy Side Report (CMAM Immersion) Contents Investment Rationale 1 Company Profile and History 2 Company Products 3 Industry Overview 4 Competitive Position 6 Growth Factors 7 Valuation and Comparable Analysis 8 Investment Risks 9 Management Profile 10 Contact Information 11 Investment Rationale TurnAround Opportunity Nutrisystem, Inc. (NTRI) is a company on the turnaround. Since having six consecutive years of declining revenues and earnings, the company has been on the upward trend since 2012. In 2012, CEO Dawn Zier joined and revitalized the company with strategic initiatives, such as more product innovation and greater sale channel diversification. Since 2012, Nutrisystem has introduced eight new weight loss programs, introduced a “D” plan for diabetics, and revamped its core product line. To help improve margins, the average selling price was increased, but at the same time more meal options were introduced at various price points. The income statement and strong balance sheet show signs that the company is still in the early stages of a turnaround and that there is a lot of potential going forward. In addition, the recent acquisition of South Beach Diet will help further turn the company into a strong growth play as well. Product Innovation Is a Continuous Cycle A key component to Nutrisystem’s turnaround strategy is its ability to continuously innovate and bring new products to the market, as seen by its 150 meal-options profile at various price...

Words: 3890 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Healthy Eating Plan Comparison

...Healthy Eating Plan Comparison Jane Doe Sunday, March 20, 2011 SCI241 Professor Mickey Mouse Abstract This document will provide an outline of the change in nutritional habits for the duration of SCI241 - Nutrition course study. This document will also provide the change in diet and the awareness of making food choices. Healthy Eating Plan Comparison For the duration of this class and teenage years I have been considered obese. Nutrition has never been a part of my life nor has it had any importance to my eating habits. This class along with strong encouragement from friends and family I have decided to try a better way of eating. During week one through week four of class I was still in denial about my weight and my eating choices. As the class progressed and my comprehension for what promotes healthy eating changed. I discovered a greater way of life through low-impact exercises and healthy food choices. Eating healthy has always displayed images in my head of meals consisting of mostly vegetables, salads, no bread, no potatoes, and small portions of everything. Although the mentioned items could help with weight management; they are not the ingredients to a healthy way of living or eating. Current Eating Habits Over the past seven weeks I have encouraged myself to look at food in a totally different light. Vegetables and fruits are my friends and all oils, unsaturated fats, refined sugars, to include processed meats and dinners have been eliminated...

Words: 1068 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Metabical

...international health care company. Their focus is on developing, manufacturing and marketing products that treat various diseases. They want to enter the market for weight-control products in the US. Metabical was part of a strategic initiative that allows CSP to enter $3.74 billion market for weight control products in the United States. Metabical’s competitors are Alli and Xenical and are FDA approved. In utilizing the SWOT analysis, it was determined Metabical had positive results in the clinical trials and is decent in comparison to other competitors in the market place. It also has dual layer controlled release formulation. Opportunities for this product would be a potential large market, constant rise of obese adults and a substitute for other weight loss methods. “In principle, Metabical would be attractive to all overweight individuals” however, Barbara Printup established a more focused plan of approach: First, the approach completed by Printup is the forecasted demand by considering the number of overweight individuals in the United States and focusing down that population to those who were actively trying to lose weight. She felt those potential users should be narrowed to the 15% of those who were comfortable with weight-loss drugs. Second, she specified consumer interest in a prescription weight-loss drug for the overweight and saw that 12% were ready to go to their health care provider to request a prescription. Third, she surveyed the target market. Printup...

Words: 984 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Atkins Diet Pitfalls

...The Atkins Diet: Pitfalls and Risks Millions across the world have benefited from the Atkins diet and have lost weight successfully. Weight loss is achievable through Dr. Atkin’s methods and diet plan. The primary concern that the Atkins diet focuses on is the intake of carbohydrates through the diet. Through the restriction and then gradual reintroduction of carbohydrates, the Atkins diet uses the body’s own mechanisms against itself to burn fat. By restricting the carbohydrate intake and then slowly introducing back into the diet; fat becomes the primary energy burner since glucose production is low due to lack of carbohydrates. The exclusion of carbohydrates while on the Atkins diet is an unhealthy manner to lose weight, one runs the...

Words: 1570 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Metabical

...METABICAL CASE ANALYSIS Metabical is a prescription drug produced by Cambridge Sciences Pharmaceuticals (CSP) for weight loss, which was the first and only prescription drug to obtain FDA approval. The drug was developed to help aid people in the overweight segment to lose 10 to 30 pounds. Barbara Printup is the marketing director in charge of selecting a price for the new prescription drug. In a study CSP did with Metabical, people with a body mass index (BMI) of 28 to 30 had an average weight loss of 26 pounds over a 12 week period. At the same time, people with a BMI of 25-28 had an average weight loss of 15 pounds. This study found the new prescription drug to be useful and effective. Through research, Printup decided to target female consumers in the 35 to 65 age range with a college education. Metabical was also basing pricing and packaging compared to their main competitors in this particular market. CSP wanted to base their new product comparable to Alli, but felt Metabical could be priced at a premium due to the need of a prescription to get the drug, and the fact that they were the only FDA approved weight loss drug on the market. Pricing was a main concern with this product and several scenarios were run to try and project and forecast where the pricing would make the best return on investment (ROI). In order for the drug to be able to show positive results it is recommended that it should be taken daily for 12 weeks, without a single miss just like birth control...

Words: 819 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Sci241

...Healthy Eating Plan Comparison Vivian Elliott Sci 241 07-15-2012 Mrs. Mary Martin Abstract Healthy Eating Plan Comparison In my comparison from my nutritional habits from week one, my eating habits have changed in a much better way from my past usual way of eating and regular daily eating plan. I have developed an eating plan based on the concepts of balance, variety, nutrients density, moderation and energy density. I follow and use the Food Guide Pyramid and list of nutrients in my diet plan. The Food Guide Pyramid is a menu plan tool that tells about what’s on a nutrition label currently consists of, and when and which health claims are allowed on a food package. I try not to eat too much hamburgers, french fries, cookies, sodas, pizzas, cakes, tacos, and other greasy fried fatting foods. Since I have changed my eating habits I have lost 15 pounds and watch the fat melt from my body and performing more lean on my body. It is very important for people to understand the nutritional effects and good requirements of a human body. The changes that I made to my diet and eating lifestyle are important for me to improve my diet by 100% as I stick to my diet to improve my health and wellness of my overall well-being. I am experiencing an increased of nutritional needs and better benefit to my health, probable a more leaner body, weight loss, and likely improvements to your blood profile. This all adds up and will equal to me having and enhances a longer healthy...

Words: 2616 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Hypnosis for Weight Loss

...Hypnosis Therapy to Promote Positive Weight Loss Hypnosis for Weight Loss: Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of the use of hypnotherapy (or hypnosis) for advancement of a weight-loss program. Hypnotherapy has been seen to be a valuable tool so far in the modifications of problem behaviors, such as overeating for a person who is overweight or obese. The hypothesis of the research proposal is that those who receive hypnotherapy in conjunction with a supervised diet and exercise program will lose more weight that those who only participate in the diet and exercise program. METHOD: The 20 participants will be chosen from a target population. In order to be a participant in the research proposal the individual must be between the ages of 21 and 45, of either gender, have a primary diagnosis of obesity (with or without co-morbidities), have tried at least one weight-loss program prior, and be either referred to the bariatric program by a physician, or be a current patient of the bariatric program. The participants will be broken into two groups of 10 participants. Group 1 consists of 10 participants who will participate in hypnotherapy in combination with a diet and exercise program established by a dietary team. Group 2 contains 10 participants who will participate in only a diet and exercise program established by a dietary team. This research proposal is an example...

Words: 5129 - Pages: 21

Premium Essay

Metabical – Positioning and Communications Strategy for a New Weight Loss Drug

...WEIGHT LOSS ISSUES Excessive weight has become one of the major issues in today's world. This leads to all sorts of health riskssuch as coronary heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and many more. Furthermore, a research has shown that death rates from cancer were 52% higher in men and 62 % higher in women with excessive weight than in people with normal weight (Eugenia E. Calle 2003). A large proportion of overweight people have been trying to lose their weight in every possible way. However, not every attempt was successful. Due to that, the pharmaceutical industry has been developing and testing a large variety of medicines that are specifically made to help people with weight issues. One of the newest drugs on the market is Metabical, a prescription drug developed by Cambridge Sciences Pharmaceuticals (CSP). Based on the results from clinical trials, Metabical has been proven effective for weight loss of overweight people. The question is how willMetabicalbe introduced to the market? PULL MARKETING The main idea was to advertise Metabical directly to consumers in order to increase the awareness of the product. This strategy was based on pull marketing where the purpose was to attract the customers and make them approach the supplier or seller first. It is not an assertive way of marketing in comparison to push marketing where a seller calls potential customers on the telephone asking whether they would like to purchase a product they might not actually...

Words: 2593 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Phen375 Week 5 Essay

...Phen375 customer reviews – Quickly as well as safe Weight loss Product It truly is pretty frequent to view people anguishing with regards to their excess weight of skin. Nevertheless there may be adequate awareness that will morbid obesity could lead to many illnesses, people will not have considerably manage more than their bodyweight. There are several diet tablets available for sale. Just one ought to execute a terrific extreme caution throughout selecting the right pill. A new centered online research to distinguish very good pills coming from some others makes it possible for the particular lucid decision. Occasionally, when the substance is extremely well-liked you possibly can come across numerous frauds relevant to the particular substance. The type of swindle that's well-liked through the internet is Phen375 Con....

Words: 1207 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Metabical

...marketing and launch strategy for s new product to market | S | Leadership | | | | 1 | $25B in sales in 2007 | Brand recognition is key | S | 2 | Clinical trials performed to show majority of individuals reached weight-loss goals by week 12 and minimal weight loss after that | By generating data through clinical trials, FDA clearance is a route which is an opportunity over its OTC and supplement competitors | S | Functional Areas | | | | 1 | 10 years of testing and $400 million in R&D costs | A great deal of time and resources invested into product | W | 2 | Researchers at CSP combined an appetite suppressant (calosera) with a fat-blocking agent (meditonan) to for Metabical | The strong R&D team at CSP gives the company a competitive advantage in inventing revolutionary products | S | 3 | Negative side effects occur when users consume high levels of fat and calories | People tend to eat "junk" because they believe diet pills will cancel it out | W | Political, Legal &Ethical | | | | 1 | No prescription-drug options available specifically for the overweight segment (BMI 25-30) | Entering the market first will undoubtedly come with a large market share in the future | O | Economic | | | | 1 | $3.74 billion market for weight-control products in the US | Market is large (measurable) | O | 2 | Most health insurance carriers are not expected to reimburse patients for Metabical costs | Standard is not to cover anti-obesity drugs, therefore...

Words: 2469 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Old Mule Farms

...evaluation addresses the present operating conditions of Old Mule Farms (hereinafter referred to as “OMF”), a family owned cattle farm. The owners are facing critical decisions regarding the future of the farm and have sought assistance to review all factors that may be affecting the profitability of the farm. The evaluation reveals the financial performance of the company using the information provided in the case, including consideration for all the key drivers of performances, including company profit or loss for both short term and long term. The financial analysis will show how each factor influences managerial decisions using the calculation to support the decision. The findings and recommendation proffered to the owners of the farm, focuses on actions that will have the greatest positive impact on the farm’s operation and ultimately its bottom-line. We further recommend how the OMF can improve its profitability to deliver more value to its owners, and provide a brief plan to implement the recommendations. Finally, the assessment will provide quantifiable reasons for any recommendations made regarding the operation and sustainment of the...

Words: 2255 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Obesity and the Miracle Surgery

... about 500 calories more than 40 years ago (Ambinder, par 3). It seems as though dieting is not enough for those whose weight is out of control. The fast food companies’ job is to make food tasty enough to purchase, but the consequence is consumption of fatty food ingredients that do not help those who cannot control their dietary intake. There are some people who do not mind being obese, but there are those who are seeking a solution to their problem of obesity. Obesity can cause several life-threatening diseases and even death if not reversed. The surgery that over a million people are turning to is gastric bypass. This surgery is considered a “miracle cure” that will reverse chronic diseases and may save their life. There are so many commercials that promote weight loss for the overweight individual. You have Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Food Lovers Lost Program, liquids, powders, and exercises that promote weight loss. Unfortunately, there are millions of people that have spent thousands of dollars to find a solution to weight loss. According to the (ABC News “100 Million Dieters, $20 Billion: The Weight Loss Industry by the Numbers which aired 5/8/13, $20 million dollars a year in the United States is spent on weight loss, which includes diet books, diet drugs and weight loss surgeries. Yet, there are those who have tried everything to lose weight and still remain obese. We look down at those who are drug addicts, alcoholics and over indulging gamblers, but what about...

Words: 1375 - Pages: 6