NutriSystem® Heart Healthy Weight Loss Program Helped Americans Lose Over Nine Million Pounds in 2008
Horsham, Pa. (January 14, 2009) – 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.