Swimsuit Shyness: Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Admit They Have Not Worn a Swimsuit in Public in More Than 5 Years - If Ever

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., May 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Swimsuit season has officially begun. But according to a survey just released by Nutrisystem, Inc., NTRI a leading provider of weight management products and services, millions of Americans might not be sporting a swimsuit in public this summer. What's more, many may not have worn one in years.  

The survey, conducted online in the U.S. on behalf of Nutrisystem by Harris Poll, polled 2,033 Americans, both male and female, and found:

• 32 percent have not worn a swimsuit in public in more than five years or ever;
• 20 percent admitted to having not worn a swimsuit in 10 years or more;
• Five percent admitted to having never worn a swimsuit.

"For some, putting on a bathing suit can be very intimidating," said Dr. Anthony Fabricatore, psychologist and Vice President of Research and Development at Nutrisystem. "Ideally, people wouldn't be ashamed of their bodies as they are. But when people decide to make a change, the important thing is to create a realistic plan. Losing one or two pounds a week for the next month, may have some feeling a lot better by the Fourth of July."

Nutrisystem ambassador Melissa Joan Hart, who just recently revealed her 40-pound weight loss on Nutrisystem, is feeling confident and ready to put on a swimsuit again when she hits the beach this summer with her very supportive husband and three adorable children.  

"For me, it was important to bond with my child, as opposed to 'lose the weight.' So I waited until I was ready, and I knew I had the time, and then I made it a priority that I would eat well," said Hart. "Now I'm really happy where I am. I'll definitely be showing off my new body in a bathing suit this summer."

For mother of two and Nutrisystem Success Story Cory Goodrich of Illinois, putting on a swimsuit was something she hadn't done in quite a long time. But after losing 40 and a half pounds on Nutrisystem, now she can.

"I'm back in a bathing suit after 12 years," said Cory. "I feel fantastic!"

To learn more about Nutrisystem, its plans and menu items, or to order, please visit www.nutrisystem.com.

About Nutrisystem, Inc.
Nutrisystem, Inc. NTRI is a leading provider of weight loss solutions and weight-related products and services including its structured food delivery program Nutrisystem® My Way® and its new digital platform NuMi™ by Nutrisystem. Nutrisystem has helped consumers lose weight for more than 40 years by providing quality foods and a nutritionally balanced meal program. Nutrisystem® meal plans feature more than 150 menu options, along with counseling options from trained weight-loss coaches, registered dietitians and certified diabetes educators. Customers are provided further support from the online community, tools, trackers, mobile apps and more. Nutrisystem® plans are consistent with national guidelines for dietary intake meeting targets for fat, sodium, sugar, cholesterol, fiber and 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. The NuMi multi-platform system and downloadable App can be found at http://www.numi.com. 

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Nutrisystem from March 20-24, 2014 among 2,033 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Deanna Every, devery@nutrisystem.com.

About Nielsen & The Harris Poll
On February 3, 2014, Nielsen acquired Harris Interactive and The Harris Poll.  Nielsen Holdings N.V. NLSN is a global information and measurement company with leading market positions in marketing and consumer information, television and other media measurement, online intelligence and mobile measurement. Nielsen has a presence in approximately 100 countries, with headquarters in New York, USA and Diemen, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.nielsen.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140527/91309

SOURCE Nutrisystem, Inc.