Research Shows Majority of Americans Don't Feel Ready for Bathing Suit Season

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., March 21, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- Nutrisystem, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRI)  revealed the findings of a new survey indicating more than half (59%) of Americans, or about 138 million people, don't feel ready for bathing suit season with almost one-quarter (24%) indicating they feel pressure to lose weight.

Nutrisystem/Harris Interactive 2012 Spring Dieting Season Poll indicates:

Sixty-seven (67%) of women don't feel ready for bathing suit season. 

Only half of men (50%) feel "ready" for bathing suit season, though they are significantly more confident than women (33%), especially after age 45.

Single U.S. adults indicate a slightly higher level of "readiness" than married U.S. adults (50% vs. 39%).

Those who live in the West (29%) are significantly more likely to feel pressure to lose weight than those who live in the Northeast (20%).

Feeling the Heat
As the weather warms and bathing suit catalogs and in-store displays surface across the country, Americans are feeling the proverbial heat when it comes to getting "bathing suit-ready."  Nutrisystem customers who follow the program's low Glycemic Index (GI) meal plan, have -- in the past decade alone -- lost over an estimated 70 million pounds.  Some "pressure" can serve as incentive, especially if it's the trigger to start a proven, structured program.  As opposed to "winging it," which is what 40% of respondents admitted doing as a default diet strategy.

No More Winging It
"The problem with winging it is there's no structure," explains Anthony Fabricatore, Ph. D., a psychologist and Senior Director of Research and Development at Nutrisystem.  "Without a clear plan, it's too easy to rationalize choices that are inconsistent with weight control."  According to a survey conducted by National Business Research Institute, dieters following a Nutrisystem® program reported losing 43% more weight than people dieting on their own.

Additional Nutrisystem/Harris Poll results reveal:

Two out of five (40%) of Americans admit they "wing it" (i.e., don't stick to a formal program) when it comes to dieting.

Young adults, ages 18-34, are the most likely to say upcoming events (e.g., weddings, reunions) provide incentive to get in shape than any other age group.

What prompts people to finally stop "winging it?"  Sometimes it's getting through, or getting set for, a certain moment in time.  For instance, "Super Monday," the day after calorie-rich big game viewing parties, is one of the biggest diet decision days of the year with men inquiring about Nutrisystem every 1.5 seconds.  Warming weather and more revealing fashion and swimsuits can also be cause for fast-tracking plans, as can family and school reunions and weddings, all of which are more frequent this time of year.  

Crunch Time
Christy Monaghan who runs Nutrisystem's new, free weight loss community area says, "It's crunch time.  You can feel it, as people rally to help one another meet their respective goals.  I think everyone can relate when someone posts, 'I'm in a wedding in eight weeks' or 'I'm about to see people from high school I haven't seen for 25 years.'  It's very relatable and you can't help but root for them and in turn, they reciprocate and help you meet your own goals."  

According to the Nielsen Global Healthy Eating 2012 Trends Report, more than half of consumers around the world consider themselves overweight and 48% are trying to lose weight.  Six in 10 indicate difficulty grasping nutritional labels and food packages.  "Right about now people tend to panic.  Whatever they tried in January didn't work.  They want something simple and reliable," explains Dr. Bruce Daggy, Nutrisystem's Chief Science Officer and Senior Vice President of Research and Development.  "At Nutrisystem, we take the guesswork and angst out of losing weight."  To get ready for bathing suit season with Nutrisystem and to find out more information, call 1-888-841-2572 or visit http://www.nutrisystem.com/success4u.

Survey Methodology:  This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Nutrisystem from March 13-15, 2012 among 2,211 adults age 18+.  This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.  Complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, are available upon request.

About Nutrisystem, Inc.
Nutrisystem, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRI) is the number one home delivery weight-loss company. Nutrisystem® products are sold direct to the consumer through nutrisystem.com, by phone, and at select retailers, with convenient home delivery. The Company offers proven nutritionally balanced weight loss programs designed for women, men, and seniors, as well as the Nutrisystem® D® program, a weight loss program specifically designed to help people with or at risk for type 2 diabetes.  Nutrisystem offers its members 40 years of weight loss expertise, with balanced nutrition in the form of low glycemic index meal plans that include a variety of great tasting, satisfying, good carbohydrate meals that are designed to be heart healthy. The program has no membership fees and provides weight management support and counseling by trained weight-loss coaches and online and mobile weight management tools free of charge. Nutrisystem proudly supports the American Diabetes Association in its movement to Stop Diabetes™, as well as to help in increasing awareness of the correlation between weight loss and improvements in diabetes control. For more information or to become a customer, visit http://www.nutrisystem.com or call 1-800-435-4074. For the healthcare professional, please visit http://www.nutrisystem.com/hcp. Follow Nutrisystem on Twitter @nutrisystem and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nutrisystem.

About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, and European offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us -- and our clients -- stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

SOURCE Nutrisystem, Inc.