Our Parent Company
Medifast: Take Shape For Life's Parent Company
Take Shape For Life is the coaching division of Medifast, Inc. Since 1980, Medifast has developed, manufactured, and marketed portion-controlled, nutritionally balanced meal replacements for weight loss. Medifast products and programs have been recommended by over 20,000 doctors since 1980. Medifast is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MED).
Origins of Medifast
Medifast was started in 1980 by William Vitale, M.D. under the umbrella of Jason Pharmaceuticals. At that time, Medifast was manufacturing and distributing Medifast Meals to doctors, who in turn prescribed them to their patients and counseled them through the Medifast Program. Throughout the 1980s, Medifast was available only through physicians' offices.
With the onset of managed care, Medifast products were no longer covered by insurance, and doctors no longer had time to counsel patients to the degree necessary for sustained weight loss and management.
A New Model
Retired Marine Colonel Bradley T. MacDonald, CEO of Jason Pharmaceuticals at the time, set out to re-engineer the business model for the company by working with his alma mater, Villanova University, and the Bartlett School of Business, to create a direct-to-consumer model for Medifast. In 2000, he formed Medifast's Web and toll-free business, Medifast Direct.
In 2003, the Company changed its name to Medifast, Inc. and was listed on the American Stock Exchange, moving to the New York Stock Exchange in 2006 (NYSE: MED).
Also in 2003, MacDonald teamed up with Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen, a critical care medicine specialist, to create Take Shape For Life, the coaching division of Medifast, Inc.
Today
Take Shape For Life Health Coaches support their Clients as they lose weight on the Medifast Program, and educate them about weight maintenance and healthy habits for life. The group's mission is to help their Clients achieve Optimal Health. There are thousands of Health Coaches across the country who are leading a revolution in health and wellness.
Medifast has more than 600 employees working to get America healthy. Medifast has been recommended by over 20,000 doctors and used by over one million customers since 1980.
Medifast manufactures many of our products in our wholly owned manufacturing facility in Owings Mills, Maryland, and all of our products are made in the U.S.A. Medifast currently operates distribution centers in Ridgely, Maryland, and Coppell, Texas, which handle both product warehousing and order fulfillment.
Take Shape For Life makes no claim that these results are representative of all participants on the Take Shape For Life Program. Take Shape For Life recommends you consult with a physician before starting a weight-loss program. Individual results will vary. Fullness Index is a satiety calculation based on a food's fiber, protein, and calorie content. The equation is: (grams of protein per serving + grams of fiber per serving) x 100, divided by number of calories per serving. The higher the number, the more fullness is derived from each calorie. BeSlim® Club Membership: Minimum purchase of $150 required to qualify for free standard shipping offer. First orders over $250 receive 28 free meals. Second orders over $250 receive an additional 28 free meals. See the BeSlim® Club terms and conditions for complete details.
