2012 OPTIFAST® 'New You' Weight Loss Competition Announced

Contest to Recognize Patients and Medical Professionals

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nestle Health Science today announced the launch of the third annual OPTIFAST® "New You" weight loss contest designed to recognize the pursuit of and dedication to weight loss by patients and medical professionals.

Each new year, millions of Americans make a resolution to improve their health through weight loss. With 65 percent, or 200 million, Americans overweight and nearly one-in-three clinically obese (approximately 72 million),(1) the OPTIFAST "New You" weight loss contest recognizes OPTIFAST patients who achieve their weight loss goals and the medical professionals who helped them get there.

In 2011, the OPTIFAST "New You" contest named three Grand Prize winners who collectively lost nearly 500 pounds and made long-term lifestyle changes to help maintain the weight loss.* Through the OPTIFAST Inspire Award, the contest also honored two outstanding health care practitioners for their dedication and passion to helping patients lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

"We are inspired by the thousands of patients who change their lives for the better through the OPTIFAST Program every year. While many weight loss contests celebrate modest weight loss, the OPTIFAST New You contest focuses on those individuals, both patients and medical professionals, whose journeys may be longer," said Bill Kesting, director and general manager for the U.S. OPTIFAST business. "We hope their stories will inspire others to achieve long-term weight loss and live healthier."

The 2012 contest will recognize three patients and their guests with a trip to New York City for a three-night getaway that includes a spa package makeover and $500 shopping spree. Up to three medical professionals will be recognized with the OPTIFAST Inspire Award for the integral role they play in their patients' weight loss journeys.

"Obesity is one of the most prevalent disorders of the 21st century. It is also one of the most complex to treat. Yet through the unique approach of providing medical support, counseling, education, and meal replacements, Nestle Health Science's OPTIFAST Program has helped more than one million people affected by obesity over the last 35 years,"(2) said Jamy Ard, M.D., associate professor, Department of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama and medical director for the OPTIFAST Program.

To participate, applicants must submit an application and a 500-word (or less) essay describing their journey with the OPTIFAST Program. Applications may be submitted electronically, via fax or by mail and must be postmarked or time-stamped no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on March 30, 2012. Visit http://www.optifast.com/ to download an application and obtain contest rules and regulations.

About OPTIFAST®
OPTIFAST was developed in 1974 to fill the growing need to address obesity in a healthy, effective way. As diseases related to obesity became more prevalent, and more people began taking drastic measures to treat the problem, OPTIFAST was introduced as a sensible option for lifestyle transformation. The program combines support and counseling, lifestyle education, and medical monitoring with meal replacements to help people lose weight* which can, in turn, reduce weight-related health risks. A team of dedicated medical professionals provide support. The OPTIFAST Program is available in over 400 clinics nationwide. OPTIFAST is a business segment within Nestle Health Science. For more information, to see patient stories and to find a clinic, visit www.optifast.com.

About Nestle Health Science
Nestle Health Science, through its Nestle HealthCare Nutrition business, offers nutritional solutions for people with specific dietary needs related to illnesses, disease states or the special challenges of different life stages. Nestle Health Science, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestle S.A., became operational on January 1, 2011 and has worldwide headquarters in Lutry, Switzerland.

*The typical OPTIFAST patient loses 52 pounds in 22 weeks. For many dieters, weight loss is temporary.

(1) Ogden CL, Carroll MD, McDowell MA, Flegal KM. Obesity among adults in the United States— no change since 2003–2004. NCHS data brief no 1. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2007 http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/index.html

(2) Nestle HealthCare Nutrition National Database, 1997, data on file Nestle HealthCare Nutrition

SOURCE Nestle Health Science