<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>mi7383ex991.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
<TEXT>
                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

            MEDIFAST ELECTS TWO NEW MEMBERS TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    OWINGS MILLS, Md., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Medifast, Inc.
(NYSE: MED) today announced the addition of two new independent members to the
Board of Directors of the Owings Mills, Md. based meal replacement company.
Dennis M. McCarthy, Esq. and Charles P. Connolly, Jr. were elected at the
Medifast, Inc. Board of Directors meeting October 2, 2006.  The Board now
consists of 9 directors, including the Chairman of the Board.

    "The Board is extremely pleased to welcome its two newest directors," said
Bradley T. MacDonald, chairman of the board. "The professionalism, ethics, and
experiences that these two gentlemen bring to the Board will add invaluable
insight and expertise that will elevate Medifast, Inc."

    Medifast's Board of Directors, at its annual board retreat in early June
decided to add an additional two board members with one able to become the
company's "financial expert" as a member of the audit committee. The Board will
now have nine members with six members classified as "Independent Directors"
according to the rules of the New York Stock Exchange and SEC regulations.

    Mr. McCarthy practiced law for 21 years as a civil litigator in tort and
contract cases. He was the founding member and managing partner of a Columbus,
Ohio based law firm. Additionally, he served active duty in the U.S. Marine
Corps for 16 years and served 22 years in reserve service. Mr. McCarthy retired
in 2005 in the grade of Lieutenant General, having been the first Marine
Reservist to serve in that grade. Mr. McCarthy is currently the Chief Executive
of the Reserve Officers Association, a congressionally chartered association to
support the reserve and guard forces of the United States.

    Mr. Connolly is currently a consultant focusing on bank relationships, debt
refinancing, merger and acquisition strategy and executive compensation design.
Mr. Connolly spent 29 years at First Union National Bank that merged with
Wachovia Bank in 2001. He retired in 2001 as the President and CEO of First
Union National Bank.

    About Medifast, Inc.

    Medifast has been helping people lose weight and achieve better health for
25 years. Its meal replacement foods have been proven effective in multiple
clinical studies, recommended by over 15,000 physicians and used by more than 1
million customers. Medifast offers its customers world-class customer service
and nutrition support through a variety of program options for its customers.

    This release contains forward-looking statements, which may involve known,
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Medifast's
actual results and performance in future periods to be materially different from
any future results or performance suggested by these statements. Medifast
cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements,
which speak only to management's expectation on this date.

SOURCE  Medifast, Inc.
    -0-                             10/02/2006
    /CONTACT:  Medifast, Inc. Investor Relations, ir@medifastdiet.com ; or
Media, Kerry O'Neill of Warschawski, +1-410-367-2700/
    /Web site:  http://www.medifastdiet.com/
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