Discovery Health's Fifth Annual National Body Challenge Takes a Stand Against Obesity by Offering the Keys to Adopting a Healthy, Active Lifestyle

SILVER SPRING, Md. (Map) - SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Health's fifth annual NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE returns to help battle the obesity epidemic with its biggest and best year yet, with online registration beginning on December 27, 2007, at discoveryhealth.com. One of America's largest and most comprehensive fitness and weight-loss initiatives, with over 1.5 million participants registered to date, NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE offers a multimedia approach to health and wellness. This year, Discovery Health is teaming up with Kashi, America's Milk Processors and Bally Total Fitness to provide the tools, inspiration, and information necessary for adopting healthier lifestyles. The NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE provides participants unparalleled features and support for getting into shape-entirely free of charge.

A one-stop shop for a New Year's resolution that really works, the NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE's online home at discoveryhealth.com boasts an unrivaled array of over 1,000 recipes and meal plans provided by Eating Well, as well as health tips from renowned experts such as Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Pam Peeke. The Web site also features special video content containing exercise tips, sample fitness regimens and a special NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE workout designed by celebrity fitness guru Gilad. Also, participants who register at discoveryhealth.com by January 11, 2008, will receive a free eight-week pass to Bally Total Fitness, good for use at any of the health club's 354 locations nationwide. Whether joining alone or along with friends or family members, participants can motivate each other and stay connected through NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE community tools, including user-generated blogs, message boards and regular chat sessions.

On television, Discovery Health will premiere the compelling and empowering stories of real people struggling with weight loss and unhealthy lifestyles. On Monday, January 7 at 8:00 PM (ET/PT,) NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE: TWINS EDITION kicks off four consecutive specials featuring the stories of four sets of overweight twins working together to change their lifestyle habits in an effort to reclaim their health and positive self-image. Experts such as Dr. Peeke and Dr. Lydie Hazan take the twins under their wings to explore the roots of their weight issues and then develop effective diet and fitness solutions that will fit into their hectic everyday lives. In addition to the primetime specials, Discovery Health will be airing special workout programming during its morning block and will offer additional fitness content via the Discovery Health On-Call VOD service.

In addition, on January 5 and 6, the NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE hits the road to bring the fun and excitement to residents of the Seattle, Chicago, New York/New Jersey and Baltimore/Washington areas. Discovery Health, along with the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, Kashi, America's Milk Processors and Bally Total Fitness, will be invading local malls to make sure that people are starting 2008 right. Each location will feature NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE experts, local fitness leaders and the inspiring twins from the television specials offering tips, leading demos and firing up the crowds. For more information on events in these markets, please visit discoveryhealth.com.

From the computer to the television, from the mall to the gym, the NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE is dedicated to helping you get fit for the New Year and find the new you.

Discovery Health Media includes the Discovery Health and FitTV television networks and online assets including www.discoveryhealth.com, as well as its Continuing Medical Education (CME) business and Discovery's first stand-alone VOD service, Discovery Health On-Call. Discovery Health Media is part of Discovery Communications, the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks are led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health and HD Theater, with digital media properties including HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information please visit www.discoverycommunications.com/.

Imagery available for download at www.press.discovery.com.