America Is Up to the Challenge: Participants in THE DISCOVERY HEALTH N

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- America cut back on the extra-large servings and sweated through a regular exercise routine for the past eight weeks, and the results show. THE DISCOVERY HEALTH NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE, a nationwide fitness and weight-loss initiative, concluded Saturday, March 12, as participants across the country shared their weight- loss results, reporting a drop of more than 395,000 pounds of excess weight! That's almost to 200 tons, nearly twice the amount that Challengers lost in 2004!

New Yorkers led the way with the greatest amount of weight loss, followed by participants in Washington, D.C., and Chicago.

"This year the NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE far surpassed the turnout and results from last year," said Eileen O'Neill, general manager of the Discovery Health Channel. "We are proud to provide a program that helps thousands of Americans make positive lifestyle changes. We look forward to even greater success in 2006!"

NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE participants had the choice of weighing out at one of the participating Discovery Channel stores on March 12, or weighing out online from the comfort of their own homes. The weigh-out was the culmination of a free, eight-week challenge that kicked off on January 15.

The National Body Challenge helped thousands of Americans improve their health and shed extra pounds by providing each participant with a FREE eight- week Bally Total Fitness(R) trial membership, a nutrition and fitness journal and a FREE eight-week trial membership to eDiets, as well as information and inspiration through the National Body Challenge television series.

The NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE television series that ran concurrently with the national event was designed to keep participants on track with incredible personal stories of transformation, along with an in-depth look at obesity, diet and nutrition. Viewers can catch an encore presentation of the series in its entirety on Saturday, March 19 from 9 AM - 5 PM (ET/PT).

The NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE was developed for participants and viewers with the advice of NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE medical adviser Dr. Pamela Peeke and in partnership with the American Diabetes Association and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE was produced for the Discovery Health Channel by KPI. Bill Hunt and Kristy Sabat are executive producers. The executive in charge of production is Donald Thoms.

The NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE is made possible by Secret Anti-perspirant, Kellogg's Special K, Bally Total Fitness(R) and Smart Spot(TM) from PepsiCo.

Discovery Health Channel takes viewers inside the fascinating and informative world of health and medicine to experience firsthand, compelling, real-life stories of medical breakthroughs and human triumphs. Currently in more than 57 million homes, Discovery Health Channel is the only 24-hour network and Web site (http://discovery.com/health) devoted to what matters most -- health.