NutriSystem, Inc. Joins Forces with WomenHeart to Fight Heart Disease

NutriSystem(R) Heart Healthy Weight Loss Program Helped Americans Lose Over Nine Million Pounds in 2008

HORSHAM, Pa., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- NutriSystem announced today a partnership with WomenHeart, the nation's only national organization solely dedicated to promoting women's heart health, and providing a place to turn for women living with or at risk of heart disease. The link between weight and heart disease is clear: being mildly overweight can increase the risk of a heart attack dramatically for women. In fact, in women who are approximately 30 percent or more over their ideal weight, 70 percent of all heart attacks could be traced to obesity*.

The rise and risk of heart disease in women is startling: nearly one-third (27.2 percent) of all female deaths each year are from heart disease and the majority of Americans that die from congestive heart failure are women - more than 30,000 each year. In the face of these frightening facts, WomenHeart is dedicated to empowering women to take charge of their heart health and believes that partnering with NutriSystem is a step in the right direction towards reducing heart disease risk factors in women.

"One of the many reasons that we chose to partner with NutriSystem is that the program places a premium on heart health because it is low in fat, cholesterol, saturated fats, sodium, cholesterol and high in beneficial Omega-3s," said Lisa M. Tate, Chief Executive Officer, WomenHeart. "We are thrilled to be partnering with NutriSystem, a company that is continually concentrating on refining their program and focusing on heart healthy foods. Together we will be able to reach millions of women with heart healthy messages and educational information."

"We partnered with WomenHeart to help raise awareness about the effects that being overweight has on overall hearth health, especially since it is one of the top five heart disease risk factors. The NutriSystem program is enriched with heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids and high in fiber for heart health and cardiovascular benefits - something no other weight loss company has ever done before," said Dr. Jay Satz, NutriSystem's Vice President of Scientific Affairs. "The NutriSystem program is high in fiber to help our customers feel full longer, and is low on the Glycemic index to help our customers lose weight, without feeling hungry on the program."

"NutriSystem customers are looking for a heart healthy diet," continued Satz. "NutriSystem program is low in fat and cholesterol with zero trans fats and is low in sodium. In fact, our program's daily sodium content is 1800 milligrams, which is 500 milligrams lower than the American Heart Association's recommended 2300 milligram daily sodium limit." On the NutriSystem program, customers can decrease one of the most important heart disease risk factors by losing up to ten pounds a month. In fact, in 2008, NutriSystem helped customers across the country lose 9,178,775 pounds.

As part of their initiative to raise awareness of the strong link between weight and heart disease, NutriSystem has pledged to mobilize their five million new, current and former customers to manage their heart health through healthy weight loss, lifestyle and exercise. NutriSystem will provide WomenHeart's heart health information and educational materials to customers via a variety of print, direct mail and online communications.

About WomenHeart

WomenHeart is the only national, patient-centered organization dedicated to advancing women's heart health through advocacy, community education and patient support. A nonprofit advocacy organization, WomenHeart is a community of women heart patients and their families, health care providers, advocates and consumers committed to helping women live longer, healthier lives. To find more information about women's heart health or to get connected with WomenHeart in your community, go to www.WomenHeart.org.

About NutriSystem, Inc.

Founded in 1972, NutriSystem is a leading provider of weight management products and services. The company offers a proven nutritionally balanced weight-loss program based on satisfying high-fiber, heart healthy, "good carb" meals that are low on the Glycemic Index and do not contain trans fats. NutriSystem is hundreds of dollars cheaper than other weight loss programs, based on an independent study by National Business Research Institute (October 2008). The program has no membership fees and provides free online and telephone counseling. NutriSystem now stands as a constant pillar of support, information and convenience with direct home delivery for those looking to lose weight in a busy world. As an Internet force, its wide-ranging web content, combined with its knowledgeable and highly trained counselors, equals a powerful resource for all dieting consumers. NutriSystem believes in its customers and is there to help them, every day and every step of the way. For more information, visit http://www.nutrisystem.com.

For more information, please visit www.nutrisystem.com or www.womenheart.org.

* Rosenfeld, Lynda E. "Women and Heart Disease." Yale University School of Medicine Heart Disease

Contacts: Delphine Carroll NutriSystem Public Relations 484-645-1455 dcarroll@NutriSystem.com Susan Laine WomenHeart 202-728-7199 slaine@womenheart.org

NutriSystem

CONTACT: Delphine Carroll, NutriSystem Public Relations, +1-484-645-1455,
dcarroll@NutriSystem.com ; or Susan Laine, WomenHeart, +1-202-728-7199,
slaine@womenheart.org

Web site: http://www.nutrisystem.com/
http://www.womenheart.org/