FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Nutrisystem (NASDAQ: NTRI), a leading provider of weight management products and services, today announced that the American Diabetes Association (Association) has reaffirmed its national strategic partnership with the Company for the next three years in recognition of Nutrisystem's continued commitment to support the Association's mission and the movement to Stop Diabetes®. It was also announced that Nutrisystem President and CEO Dawn Zier will co-chair the 2014 Philadelphia Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes planned for Fall 2014.

"You can't credibly and responsibly work in the weight loss industry without seeking to help address the prevalence of diabetes," asserted Dawn Zier, President and CEO of Nutrisystem.  "We have been a national strategic partner of the Association since 2009, and this is a key part of our commitment to educating people about this disease – its causes and treatments. Healthy weight maintenance can be the secret to staving off, and in some cases preventing or delaying the onset of, type 2 diabetes and we're proud to join with the Association to get the word out."

In addition to co-chairing the Step Out event, Nutrisystem will also host the Step Out Cafe Tent, which will offer refreshments throughout the event. Nutrisystem will provide breakfast to walk participants and volunteers, as well as samples from its Nutrisystem® D® program, designed for people living with type 2 diabetes.

"We are thrilled that Nutrisystem has renewed its commitment as a national strategic partner and that its CEO, Dawn Zier, will serve as co-chair of the 2014 Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes in Philadelphia," said Andrea Maddox-Smith, VP Northeast Division, American Diabetes Association. "Working together on these opportunities will allow us to raise awareness about diabetes and demonstrate how healthy weight maintenance can help people lead healthier lives."

Nutrisystem has sponsored clinical research on diabetes and related conditions with the goal of understanding how nutrition can help Americans better manage their type 2 diabetes. With Nutrisystem D, the Company offers a balanced nutrition program which meets the nutritional guidelines of the Association and helps people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and manage their blood glucose*.

"If you are managing type 2 diabetes or have prediabetes, Nutrisystem is a diet you can and should take advantage of," noted Dr. Andy Baldwin, family physician, ironman triathlete and humanitarian. Dr. Baldwin is partnering with Nutrisystem to raise awareness about the need for healthier family lifestyles focusing on everything from food choices to exercise."

Nutrisystem D, the leading home-delivered weight loss program is clinically tested, in combination with weekly counseling sessions, to help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and manage their blood glucose. Nutrisystem D follows a low-glycemic, reduced-calorie, portion-controlled approach, 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 and A1C among people with type 2 diabetes. 

In addition to the Nutrisystem D program, the Company also offers a Nutrisystem D 5-Day Weight Loss Kit, which is available at more than 3,700 Walmart stores, making the renowned diet with clinically proven benefits even more accessible to Americans nationwide. 

*American Diabetes Association: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes – 2012 (Position Statement). Diabetes Care 35 (suppl.1): S11-S63

About Nutrisystem, Inc.
Nutrisystem, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRI) is a leading provider of structured home-delivered weight loss meal plans, and has helped consumers lose weight for more than 40 years by providing quality foods and a nutritionally balanced meal program. For diet season 2014, Nutrisystem, based in Fort Washington, PA, has introduced the Nutrisystem® My Way® program, which factors in an individual's metabolic needs, along with the Fast 5™ kit for accelerated initial weight loss. Meal plans feature more than 150 menu options, along with complimentary, optional counseling from trained weight-loss coaches, registered dietitians and certified diabetes educators. Customers are provided further support from the online community, tools, trackers, mobile apps, cookbooks and more. Nutrisystem® plans are personalized to meet individual health goals and are consistent with national guidelines for dietary intake meeting targets for fat, sodium, sugar, cholesterol and fiber as well as national guidelines for physical activity. Additionally, plans can be customized to specific dietary needs and preferences including the Nutrisystem® D® program for people with diabetes or those at risk for type 2 diabetes. 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. 

SOURCE Nutrisystem, Inc.