HEALTHY WEIGHT COMMITMENT FOUNDATION AND DISCOVERY EDUCATION RELAUNCH ENERGY BALANCE 101 WITH NEW INCENTIVES FOR SCHOOLS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts:Alana Carchedi, Discovery Education240-662-2572alana_carchedi@discovery.com Emily Cullum, HWCF202-295-2316ecullum@whwg.com – Aiming to Help Build Healthy Schools and Reduce Childhood Obesity, Continued Partnership Will Provide More Than $150,000 in Prizes and Curriculum Tools – – Sports Authority Signs On As Premiere Prizing Partner – Silver Spring, Md. (October 13, 2011) – Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, the CEO-led organization driving a multi-year effort designed to help reduce obesity – especially childhood obesity – by 2015, and Discovery Education, the leading provider of high quality curriculum-based digital content to U.S. schools, announced today the re-launch of EnergyBalance101.com. Focused on educating students and teachers about wellness and energy balance (balancing calories in and out), the site features a variety of curricular resources and access to the second annual Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes. Administrators, teachers, parents and others in the community can enter this year’s Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of two grand prizes for their school, which include a $30,000 grant from Sports Authority and a new playground from Playworld Systems, Inc. One of the grand prizes will be awarded to a school that qualifies for Title 1 Schoolwide Funding. In addition, three secondary winners will receive $5,000 grants from Sports Authority. Lisa Gable, President of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation said, “EnergyBalance101.com was enormously successful this past year. We were able to reach communities across the country and provide an excellent curriculum for teachers and parents to help create healthy environments for their children. And this year we have broadened our Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes to include a Title 1 school, in an effort to reach those at risk children who need it most.” New this year, the Energy Balance 101 program will include two new initiatives, the Find Your Balance Challenge and support of the USDA’s HealthierUS Schools Challenge. The Find Your Balance Challenge is designed to encourage elementary school classrooms to create an action plan to improve physical education and nutrition at their school. The grand prize winner will receive $30,000 from Sports Authority, an Energy Balance 101 party at their school and a consult with nutrition and physical education experts. Two second place winners will each receive $10,000 from Sports Authority. Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation and Discovery Education will also support the USDA’s HealthierUS Schools Challenge, which recognizes schools working to create healthier environments through the promotion of nutrition and physical activity. Schools participating in the HealthierUS Schools Challenge can enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win additional rewards and incentives for striving to reach higher levels of certification. “Discovery Education is proud to partner with Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation on these important initiatives,” said Mary Rollins, Discovery Education vice president of educational partnerships. “We hope the resources and incentives offered on Energy Balance 101 engage and activate our nation’s teachers, students, and families.” Jointly developed by Discovery Education, pediatric dieticians and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), Energy Balance 101 provides students and educators with engaging curriculum focused on making healthy choices, energy balance and physical activity. Designed to be easily integrated into classroom instruction, www.energybalance101.com. includes lesson plans, resources and videos for grades K-2 and 3-5, all aligned to state standards. The website also provides family and community resources in both English and Spanish to extend these important learning concepts beyond the classroom. For additional information on Energy Balance 101 and the three Challenges, visit www.energybalance101.com. About Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a CEO-led organization, is a national, multi-year effort designed to help reduce obesity–especially childhood obesity–by 2015. It’s a first-of-its kind coalition that brings together more than 180 retailers, food and beverage manufacturers, restaurants, sporting goods and insurance companies, trade associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and professional sports organizations. The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation promotes ways to help people achieve a healthy weight through energy balance–calories in and calories out. It focuses on three critical areas–the marketplace, the workplace and schools. About Discovery Education Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) revolutionized television with Discovery Channel and is now transforming classrooms through Discovery Education. Powered by the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Discovery Education combines scientifically proven, standards-based digital media and a dynamic user community in order to empower teachers to improve student achievement. Already, more than half of all U.S. schools access Discovery Education digital services. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com. About the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE’s 15,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, administrators, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare professionals in these areas. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high-quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs. It is the largest of the five national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD). For more information, visit www.naspeinfo.org. About Sports Authority The Sports Authority is staffed with experts in all areas of sports and fitness related topics, and strives to be the ultimate “authority,” both on and off the field. Whether in the game or cheering from the sidelines, The Sports Authority is the leading destination for consumers to fulfill their own sports equipment needs, as well as find their favorite team`s apparel. The Sports Authority operates 462 stores in 45 states, and employs more than 15,000 associates nationwide. It also operates stores in Japan under a partnership with AEON Co., Ltd. The company`s e-commerce website is located at www.sportsauthority.com. About Playworld Systems, Inc. For 40 years, Playworld Systems has been a leader in creating imaginative, customized commercial play and fitness equipment that positively impacts the health and well-being of communities around the globe. Based on the belief that The World Needs Play®, Playworld Systems brings the joy and benefits of healthful outdoor play and exercise to people of every age and ability through such innovative product lines as ENERGI®, LifeTrail® Advanced Wellness System, Playworld®, PlayDesigns®, NEOS® and OriginsTM. The multi-generational, family-owned company continues to invest significant resources to measurably reduce its impact on the environment, from taking aggressive action to eliminate PVC to enhancing its waste management and recycling programs. In fact, Playworld Systems is the first major U.S. playground manufacturer to remove 99.999 percent of PVC from its products. Playworld Systems offers an optimal customer experience unique in the industry – from value-added services using Microsoft Tag to personalized attention through its vast network of local distributors. The Lewisburg, Pa.-based company has received numerous awards throughout its history, including two International Industrial Design Excellence Awards, a gold medal from International Design magazine, two News Directors’ Choice Awards on Early Childhood, and the Pennsylvania Governors’ Award for Safety Excellence. For more information, visit PlayworldSystems.com. ###