Nutrisystem Named National Strategic Partner Of The American Diabetes Association In Recognition Of Its Commitment To Help Stop Diabetes

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nutrisystem (NASDAQ: NTRI), a leading provider of weight management products and services, today announced that it has been named a National Strategic Partner of the American Diabetes Association in recognition of its commitment to support the mission and the Association's movement to Stop Diabetes®.

Nutrisystem offers the Nutrisystem® D® program, the leading home-delivered weight loss program clinically tested, in combination with weekly counseling sessions, to help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and manage their blood glucose. Nutrisystem D also meets the nutritional guidelines of the American Diabetes Association.

Diabetes is one of the fastest growing health problems facing the nation, with nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States living with the disease. Another 79 million, or one in three American adults, have pre-diabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.  Diabetes is a leading cause of adult blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputations and premature death. Obesity is a major risk factor of type 2 diabetes, but research has shown that by losing about 7% of your body weight or about 15 pounds for someone who weighs 200 pounds, diabetes may be delayed or prevented. Weight loss is also helpful in the management of type 2 diabetes.

"We are honored to be recognized as a national strategic partner of the American Diabetes Association, whose worthy mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by this disease," said Dr. Bruce Daggy, Chief Science Officer at Nutrisystem. "At Nutrisystem, we have sponsored clinical research on diabetes and related conditions with the goal of understanding how nutrition can help people better manage their type 2 diabetes. With Nutrisystem D, we offer a program of balanced nutrition which meets the nutritional guidelines of the Association and helps people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and manage their blood glucose." 

Nutrisystem has been committed to the American Diabetes Association's mission at the national and regional level for a number of years. Nutrisystem and its employees have been leading supporters of StepOut: Walk to Stop Diabetes, a fun family walk designed to raise awareness and help fund research, information and advocacy efforts of the Association.  Nutrisystem has also supported the Association's efforts to raise awareness around American Diabetes Association Alert Day® and the Working Together to Stop Diabetes® movement, and has undertaken its own activities aimed at spreading the word about the benefits of losing weight in helping to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes.

"Through its support of the American Diabetes Association, Nutrisystem is helping to further our movement to Stop Diabetes," said Robert E. Ratner, Chief Scientific & Medical Officer, MD, FACP, FACE, of the American Diabetes Association. "Weight loss is critical for helping those with type 2 diabetes better manage their disease and lead a healthier life."

Introduced in December 2004 as the "Nutrisystem for Diabetics" Program, the Nutrisystem D program, in combination with weekly counseling sessions, was clinically tested and results were announced in 2009. The Company undertook a second clinical trial in 2011. Results of a third clinical study of Nutrisystem D will be presented at the annual conference of the American Diabetes Association in Philadelphia, PA, on June 10, 2012. Nutrisystem D follows the low-glycemic, reduced-calorie, portion-controlled approach of all Nutrisystem® plans, which simplifies the task of following a healthy diet.  Diets that are low in glycemic index have been shown in multiple studies to add to the favorable effect of weight loss on A1C among people with type 2 diabetes.     

Two clinical trials have shown that the Nutrisystem D program, in combination with behavioral counseling sessions, is effective in helping people living with type 2 diabetes to lose weight and manage their blood glucose. The first study, conducted at the Temple University School of Medicine and published in the journal Postgraduate Medicine in 2009, showed that Nutrisystem D helped overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes achieve significant improvements in body weight and hemoglobin A1C (a 90-day measure of blood glucose control).

In the 2009 study, 79% of the Nutrisystem D participants met the American Diabetes Association's target A1C for good glycemic control. Participants who received the Nutrisystem D intervention also achieved significantly greater reductions in systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and waist circumference, relative to the control group.  The Nutrisystem D participants also reported significant improvements in quality-of-life. The first study did not include persons who were using insulin to control their type 2 diabetes.

A second clinical study was completed in 2011 at Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania and was presented at the 2011 annual conference of the Obesity Society. The results of this study confirmed the improvements seen in the 2009 study in both key outcome measures: weight loss and A1C reduction.  In addition, prescriptions for diabetes medications were tracked in this six-month study and more than a quarter of the participants on the Nutrisystem D program had their diabetes medications reduced by their primary care physicians while on the study.  Subjects with type 2 diabetes taking all common diabetes medications, including insulin, were included in the 2011 study.

About Nutrisystem

Having helped Americans lose millions of pounds over the last 40 years, Nutrisystem, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRI) develops evidence-based programs for healthy weight management, and is the leading provider of home-delivered weight loss meal plans. Nutrisystem offers balanced nutrition in the form of low glycemic index meal plans designed for men and women, including seniors, vegetarians and the Nutrisystem® D® program for people with diabetes or at risk for type 2 diabetes. Nutrisystem® plans include a wide variety of pantry and fresh-frozen entrees and snacks to aid in program satisfaction and adherence, as well as transition plans to support long-term success. The Fort Washington, PA-based company also provides weight management support and counseling by trained weight-loss coaches and registered dietitians, as well as through an engaged online community, online tools and trackers, mobile apps, cookbooks and more. Healthcare professionals may learn more about the programs by visiting www.nutrisystem.com/hcp.  Nutrisystem® weight loss plans are available directly to consumers through www.nutrisystem.com, by phone (1-800-435-4074) and at select retailers. The Company has also introduced a new in-store retail line, Nutrisystem® Everyday™ products, comprised of nutritionally balanced bars, smoothies, bakery and breakfast items aimed at consumers who aspire to eat healthier.

SOURCE Nutrisystem