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OWINGS MILLS, Md., Oct. 29/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Medifast, Inc. today announced the launch of their Corporate Wellness Program, which is already being utilized by several forward thinking large corporate employers such as CareFirst Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Maryland and SRA International. The Medifast Corporate Wellness Program provides an excellent evidenced based, clinically proven weight loss program that improves employee health, while also reducing ever rising healthcare costs.

In April 2007 Thompson Healthcare researchers concluded that moderately obese American workers (Body-Mass-Index 30.0-34.9) incurred total annual health care costs of 21 percent above those with normal weight, and American workers suffering from sever obesity (BMI 35+) incurred annual health care costs of 75 percent higher than those with normal weight. Since 2000 employment based insurance premiums are up 87 percent, while per person medical costs have increased 69 percent from 1993-2003.

The Medifast Corporate Wellness Program provides a complete strategy to reducing the BMI of moderately and severely obese employees. The program works towards curbing the ever rising costs of healthcare, without resorting to the higher risk higher cost of bariatric surgery.

"The Medifast Corporate Wellness Program offers companies the ability to ensure that their most valuable asset, their employees, have the best options available to maintain a healthy lifestyle," said Michael S. McDevitt, CEO Medifast, Inc. "Our corporate wellness program is an effective tool in the ongoing battle against obesity and the rising healthcare costs associated."

Medifast offers employees several different levels of support, and the Medifast Corporate Wellness Program works to partner each employee with a specifically tailored personal program that best meets their needs. Medifast provides employees with access to an experienced Health Coach, access to the Medifast network of medical practitioners, online support and access to nutritionists. For employees who need more structure and accountability for success Medifast can direct them to an area Medifast Weight Control Center. All of this support is absolutely free to employer and employee, while the cost of the Medifast Program is less than the daily cost of food.

"An employer's endorsement of their employee's health is very important, especially with so many wellness choices available," said McDevitt. "Employers want to recommend the best and most trusted solutions, which is why Medifast, with its clinical backing and studies can let employers rest assured they are endorsing one of the safest and most effective plans on the market."

Medifast is also committed to helping their own employees have a life of health and wellness with the "Walk the Walk" Wellness Initiative. With "Walk the Walk" Medifast enriches the lives of their employees by providing innovative choices for lasting health by creating hope, health and happiness.

The "Walk the Walk" initiative provides employees the opportunity to participate in several fitness challenges and contests as well as Fitness Fridays that involve yoga, boxing, strength training and dance. The initiative also incorporates information sessions, weekly stretching and several other health and wellness opportunities. Due to Medifast's own corporate wellness initiatives it has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a FIT! Company.

If your business is interested in improving the health of your employees and lowering your healthcare costs have your Human Resources Representatives contact Rick Logsdail, Executive Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Medifast Inc. Rick can be contacted at 410-504-8180 or at rlogsdail@choosemedifast.com

About Medifast:

Medifast is the leading easy-to-use, clinically proven portion-controlled weight loss program. Medifast has been recommended by 15,000 physicians and used by over one million customers. It is committed to enriching lives by providing innovative choices for lasting health. Medifast programs have been proven effective through studies by major university teaching hospitals. The company sells its products and programs via four unique distribution channels: 1) the web and national call centers, 2) national network of physicians, 3) medically supervised Medifast Weight Control Centers and 4) the Take Shape For Life direct-selling division, a network of health coaches. Medifast was founded in 1980 and is located in Owings Mills, Maryland. For more information log onto www.ChooseMedifast.com .

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SOURCE: Medifast, Inc.