A clinical assessment of Modifast in U.K. general practice.

Between April and October 1983, 443 subjects were offered a month's course of Modifast by their general practitioners. Modifast is a very low calorie formula diet containing 1.7MJ (410 kcal) and 70g protein per day. Results available on 335 of these individuals indicate that 217 completed a four week course and achieved an average weight loss of 6.6 kg, whilst those that did not complete the course achieved a 2.6 kg weight loss. Concurrent disease was present in 44.5% of subjects. The product was rated on average, tolerable, but side effects, albeit generally minor and transient, were reported by one third. Nearly two-thirds of the initially hypertensive patients became normotensive. Modified fasting is an acceptable and effective initial approach to weight loss in general practice.