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Philips supports NBC’s The Biggest Loser: Couples behind the scenes


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Murrysville, Pa., USA - Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) today announced its behind the scenes support of NBC’s The Biggest Loser: Couples, a top-ranked primetime show. The reality television show challenges and encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds and become healthier. The series has become a worldwide hit airing in more than 90 countries and produced in 25 countries. For the first time in the show’s history, contestants on The Biggest Loser: Couples received comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a potentially life-threatening condition in which a person has episodes of stopped breathing during sleep. Philips Respironics, part of Philips’ home healthcare business, assisted in providing medical equipment, testing, treatment and therapy to diagnosed contestants competing in the show’s seventh season.

Pam Minkley, clinical trainer, and member of the on-site Philips Respironics team, explains, “It is amazing to see the contestants’ progress to healthier living firsthand and to educate cast and crew about the importance of restful sleep. Being involved in The Biggest Loser: Couples and with the show’s medical team behind the scenes has allowed us to deliver an important health message to contestants, their families, and the viewers.”

According to the National Institutes of Health, 70 million Americans are affected by chronic sleep disorders and intermittent sleep problems. An estimated 18 million Americans are diagnosed with OSA. Millions more remain undiagnosed. Obesity is a risk factor. OSA has also been associated with increased risk of hypertension, heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation and Type 2 diabetes.

The diagnosis took place last fall in a hotel where 10 beds, plus a room for monitoring, were used to test each contestant for one full night. Sleep studies and overall health assessments were given to all participants, along with extensive education about sleep disordered breathing. Sixteen of the 22 contestants were diagnosed with OSA and were given equipment and therapy.

To support this effort, Philips Respironics provided diagnostic tools (ProTech sensors, oximeters, electrodes, and set-up materials) and Alice 5 Diagnostic Sleep Systems. Also, therapeutic equipment was used including REMstar Auto M Series with A-Flex, BiPAP Pro with Bi-Flex, EverFlo Q Oxygen Concentrator, and a variety of masks. Those contestants who were diagnosed with OSA were monitored using EncoreAnywhere with a combination of SmartCard downloads and modems. As contestants leave the show, Philips Respironics continues to provide support on weekly phone consultations. The contestants also send in SmartCards, which enables their therapy data to be monitored.

Philips Respironics is dedicated to improving lives through meaningful innovation. Involvement in The Biggest Loser: Couples is one way that the company has acted on this mission. To learn more about Philips Respironics experience with The Biggest Loser http://www.philips.com/respironics.

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 26 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

About The Biggest Loser: Couples – Season Seven
The television show The Biggest Loser challenges and encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds and become healthier. The unscripted and life-altering reality series gathers contestants from across the country to face real-life temptations, while being provided with approved weight-loss skills and resources in an effort to help them transform their bodies, health -- and ultimately -- their lives. Contestants work out under the supervision of professional trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper. This season contestants join as 2-person teams of either friends or family members. The series has become a worldwide hit airing in over 90 countries and produced in 25 countries. For more information about the television show, visit www.nbc.com/The_Biggest_Loser/.



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