Slim-Fast™

T he Slim-Fast™ Foods Company has been aroundfor more than a quarter-century, successfullydeveloping a small product line into a “full-ser-

vice” weight-management company with a wide varietyof diet-related products and online personal and commu-nity weight loss tools. The Slim-Fast website is attrac-tive, well structured, and chock full of opportunities to“mouse-down” on a multitude of weight-loss and weight-management information. The actual success of the Slim-Fast program, of course, is affected by the nature andquality of their product offering and the paradigm aroundwhich their program is anchored.

The small portion size can be increased using fruit andvegetable supplementation.

Program Content: The plan is comprised of threecomponents:

1) Replacement of one to two meals with Slim-Fastmeal product(s), as purchased in grocery stores or online.

2) Addition of sensible and healthful foods for theremaining meal(s) and snacks, emphasizing lean pro tein as well as fruits and vegetables.

3) Inclusion of 30–60 minutes of daily physicalactivity.

The website offers patients an “Ask-the-Dietitian” ser-vice, printable food logs, weight tracker, recipes, dining-out tips, and motivational success stories.

Diet: Products include ready-to-eat drinks and bars,drink powders, snack bars, ice cream, soup, and pastaentrees. Most of the products are approximately 65%carbohydrate, 20% protein, and 15% fat. A new line of“low carb” bars, shakes, and snacks composed of

approximately 25% carbohydrate, 35% protein, and 40%fat has recently been added. A 2-year prospective studyhas shown that daily replacement of two of the threemain daily meals with a Slim-Fast shake or bar, alongwith dietary counseling, is associated with reducedcaloric intake, improved food patterns, and provision of100% of the recommended dietary allowance of mostnutrients after 2 years of weight maintenance.1

Staff: A registered dietitian is on staff to answer cus-tomer questions.

Risk Associated with Program: None

Cost: Website access is free. Product cost variesdepending on state and store. Average 6-pack of ready-to-eat drinks or bars is $4.50–$8.00, with new low-carboptions being more expensive.

Efficacy Data: The use of Meal Replacements (MR) isa general strategy for calorie and portion control. Slim-Fast is one type of MR widely available on the market.The following studies used Slim-Fast as the brand of MR:

In a 1-year randomized study, a 4.3% weight loss wasachieved when a MR plan was recommended by primarycare physicians.2

In a non-randomized study of 133 subjects completing2 years, patients kept off an average of 14 pounds.3

In a randomized study carried out to 4 years, groups usingMRs consistently had greater weight loss than did reduced-calorie diet groups. Patients also showed significantimprovement in such health markers as blood pressure,blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and triglycerides. 4,5

In a meta-analysis of six studies evaluating the efficacyof MRs (not exclusively using Slim-Fast), the overallweight loss results at 3 months in the MR group was 7%

April 2005 Obesity Management 73

Commercial Program and Product Review

Slim-Fast™www.slim-fast.com

Slim-Fast Foods CompanyP.O. Box 3625West Palm Beach, FL 33402Toll-Free in U.S.: 800-SLIM-FASTToll- Free in Canada: 800-565-7273

of initial body weight compared with the reduced-caloriediet group of 4%. At 1 year, the MR group lost of 7–8%of initial body weight compared to the reduced caloriediet group of approximately 3–7%. Overall, weight lossin the MR groups was greater than that observed in thepatient-selected, reduced-calorie diet groups.6

Advantages vs. Disadvantages: Slim-Fast is a flexible,long-term program using convenient, portion-controlled prod-ucts. The small portion size can be increased using fruit andvegetable supplementation. The website has added value to apatient wanting more web-based accountability and resources.

Best Uses: This program is best for the patient who wants astructured food plan with convenience and portion control and who can effectively use indirect support via online access.

—Robert Kushner, M.D.—Dawn Jackson, R.D.*

Northwestern Memorial Hospital Wellness Institute *American Dietetic Association National Media

Spokesperson

References

1. Ashley JM, St Jeor ST, Perumean-Chaney S, Schrage J, Bovee V.Meal replacements in weight intervention. Obes Res 2001;9(Suppl4):312S-320S.

2. Ashley JM, St Jeor ST, Schrage JP, Perumean-Chaney SE, Gilbert-son MC, McCall NL, Bovee V. Weight control in the physician'soffice. Arch Intern Med 2001;161:1599-1604.

3. Heber D, Ashley JM, Wang HJ, Elashoff RM. Clinical evaluation ofa minimal intervention meal replacement regimen for weight reduc-tion. J Am Coll Nutr 1994;13:608-614.

4. Ditschuneit HH, Flechtner-Mors M, Johnson TD, Adler G.Metabolic and weight-loss effects of a long-term dietary interventionin obese patients. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:198-204.

5. Flechtner-Mors M, Ditschuneit HH, Johnson TD, Suchard MA,Adler G. Metabolic and weight loss effects of long-term dietaryintervention in obese patients: Four-year results. Obes Res 2000;8:399-402.

6. Heymsfield SB, van Mierlo CA, van der Knaap HC, Heo M, FrierHI. Weight management using a meal replacement strategy: Meta andpooling analysis from six studies. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord2003;27:537-549.

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