HORSHAM, Pa., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nutrisystem, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTRI), a leading developer of weight loss products and services has announced a new multi-year alliance with the American Diabetes Association to help educate people with diabetes, healthcare professionals, and the public about the importance of weight loss for people with type 2 diabetes. In addition, through the relationship, Nutrisystem will support the Association's efforts to fund both research and information and advocacy programs on behalf of people with diabetes.

Currently, there are nearly 24 million Americans suffering from diabetes. Nearly all adults with type 2 diabetes are overweight, and more than half are obese.(1) In research studies, even modest weight loss (5-7% of total body weight) has been shown to improve blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease in overweight people with type 2 diabetes.(2)

"Dealing with thousands of Nutrisystem members on a daily basis, we are acutely aware of the connection between diabetes and weight loss," said Joe Redling, Chairman and CEO of Nutrisystem. "We recognize the need to educate people with diabetes about the importance of losing weight and that is why we are proud to support the American Diabetes Association. No other organization does more to support those with diabetes and the groundbreaking research that hopefully will one day lead to a cure for this deadly disease."

As part of its support, Nutrisystem, the marketer of Nutrisystem D, a weight loss program designed to help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight, will launch a series of awareness generating activities aimed at spreading the word about the benefits of losing weight in helping to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association will help develop healthy eating messaging to be included in Nutrisystem's direct to consumer advertising, the company's website, fundraising promotions, in-product brochures, and email blasts. Nutrisystem has also supported the Association's Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes® event in Philadelphia.

In addition, Nutrisystem will sponsor Stop Diabetes(SM), the American Diabetes Association's movement -- launching in November -- designed to educate Americans about the devastating, physical and emotional impact of diabetes, elevate the sense of urgency around the disease and inspire people to take action.

"We are thrilled to have the support of Nutrisystem as we continue the effort to put an end to diabetes," said George Huntley, Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association. "Diabetes is an epidemic. The fact that Nutrisystem is stepping up to support our organization is a testament to how important the fight to stop diabetes is to our nation as a whole. We thank Nutrisystem for its generous support."

To learn more about Nutrisystem D, or to sign up for the program visit www.nutrisystem.com/D or call 888-671-LEAN.

About Nutrisystem, Inc.

Nutrisystem, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTRI) is a leading provider of weight management products and services. Nutrisystem is sold direct to the consumer through nutrisystem.com, by phone, and at select retailers, for convenient home delivery. The Company offers proven nutritionally balanced weight-loss programs designed for women, men, and seniors, as well as the new clinically tested Nutrisystem D plan, designed to help people with type 2 diabetes who want to lose weight. The Nutrisystem program is based on 35 years of nutrition research and offers a variety of great tasting, satisfying high-fiber, heart healthy, good carbohydrate meals that are low on the Glycemic Index and contain zero trans fats. Nutrisystem is hundreds of dollars cheaper than other weight loss programs, based on a survey by National Business Research Institute (October 2008). The program has no membership fees and provides 24/7 weight management support by trained weight loss coaches and online weight management tools free of charge. In 2009 Nutrisystem was selected as the #1 overall online retailer in the Food and Drug category and #46 out of the top 500 online retailers overall by Internet Retailer Magazine. Nutrisystem is proud to support the American Diabetes Association and its fight to stop diabetes. For more information or to become a customer visit http://www.nutrisystem.com or call 1-877-681-THIN (8446)

(1),(2) Weight change in diabetes and glycemic and blood pressure control, by Adrianne C. Feldstein and colleagues. Diabetes Care 31:1960-1965, 2008.

SOURCE Nutrisystem, Inc.