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Backed by Humana Inc. and Card Guard, Sensei Launches the Next Generation of Health and Weight-Loss Management Aiming to Lower Nation's Obesity Rates and Consumer Healthcare Costs.


Innovative Solution Transforms Mobile Phone into a Personal Digital Coach, Empowering Consumers to Improve Their Health and Well-Being; Program Initially Available to Sprint and AT&T Users

BOCA RATON Boca Raton (bō`kə rətōn`), city (1990 pop. 61,492), Palm Beach co., SE Fla., on the Atlantic; inc. 1925. Boca Raton is a popular resort and retirement community that experienced significant industrial development in the 1970s and 80s. , Fla. -- Sensei sen·sei  
n. pl. sen·seis
1. A judo or karate teacher.

2. A teacher or mentor.

3. Used as a form of address for such a person.
 Inc. (www.sensei.com), a pioneer in mobile and Web-based wellness solutions, today introduced a next-generation approach to health and weight management with a program that lets consumers turn their mobile phone into their own "personal digital coach" (PDC (1) (Primary Domain Controller) A Windows NT/2000 service that manages security for its local domain. Every domain has one PDC, which contains a database of usernames, passwords and permissions. ). For employers facing rising health care costs and declining productivity due to weight-management problems, as well as for consumers in search of long-lasting results, Sensei for Weight Loss(TM) represents a practical and sustainable solution.

The program follows a holistic approach holistic approach A term used in alternative health for a philosophical approach to health care, in which the entire Pt is evaluated and treated. See Alternative medicine, Holistic medicine.  to weight loss and management, delivering customized meal recommendations, weekly shopping lists, fitness information and motivational messages to a user's mobile phone display or personal Web page - prompting consumers at point-of-decision moments to make healthier choices. The service is currently available to Sprint and AT&T mobile phone users.

Based on the science of behavioral informatics - the use of technology to promote behavior change Behavior change refers to any transformation or modification of human behavior. Such changes can occur intentionally, through behavior modification, without intention, or change rapidly in situations of mental illness.  - Sensei for Weight Loss(TM) empowers and educates users to develop healthy eating habits. Unlike the rigid "calorie-counting" techniques of conventional weight-loss tools, the Sensei program is built around the individual needs and daily lifestyle of the user. This approach results from more than two years of development by Sensei psychologists, physicians, nutritionists and engineers.

"Sensei is leveraging technology to provide each user with the right information at the right time," said Dr. Robert Schwarzberg, Sensei president and chief executive officer. "For the 90 million Americans trying to lose weight, Sensei's 'real time, real world' approach is a stark contrast from other programs and fads. We connect with consumers on a very personal, very genuine level. It's because of that connection that we succeed in helping people make healthy lifestyle changes."

With health and wellness solutions as its primary focus, Sensei was formed in 2005 by Humana Inc. (NYSE NYSE

See: New York Stock Exchange
:HUM) -- one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies -- and Card Guard AG (SWX SWX Swiss Exchange (trademark of SWX Swiss Exchange)
SWX SolidWorks (3D solid modeling CAD software)
SWX Splitter / Wave Division Multiplexer
:CARDG CARDG Compressed Arc Digital Raster Graphics ), the leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative healthcare technologies and solutions. These two healthcare leaders have lent their support to Sensei, considering the dramatic health consequences and significant economic burden that obesity poses to individuals and corporations. Obese and overweight employees cost companies $1,500 per annum Per annum

Yearly.
 in increased healthcare and related costs.* These employees also have twice as many workers comp claims and have 13 more days off than their non-overweight counterparts.**

The Sensei Approach

The Sensei program draws on both Web and mobile technologies to personalize per·son·al·ize  
tr.v. per·son·al·ized, per·son·al·iz·ing, per·son·al·iz·es
1. To take (a general remark or characterization) in a personal manner.

2. To attribute human or personal qualities to; personify.
 interaction with the user, maximize convenience and, ultimately, increase the user's prospects for weight-management success.

The experience begins online, where users enter their desired weight, food preferences, eating habits, meal times, exercise routines and other personal information. Sensei's expert system then works with the user to generate a realistic, customized nutrition and fitness plan. Throughout the day, Sensei for Weight Loss(TM) delivers interactive messages to the user's mobile phone with specific recommendations, reminders and motivational tips. The program also records the user's eating choices and fitness activities, and automatically tracks progress toward defined goals.

Sensei for Weight Loss(TM) even accommodates the spur-of-the-moment menu changes that challenge most dieters. For example, if a user plans a home-made lunch but then decides to eat out, Sensei for Weight Loss(TM) can recommend an alternative meal that fits within the user's nutrition plan - and deliver the recommendation instantly, via the user's mobile phone. Sensei is based on Social Cognitive Theory Social Cognitive Theory utilized both in Psychology and Communications posits that portions of an individual's knowledge acquisition can be directly related to observing others within the context of social interactions, experiences, and outside media influences.  (SCT Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT)
A tumor occurring at the base of the fetus's tailbone.

Mentioned in: Prenatal Surgery
), a powerful framework that promotes behavior change by addressing cognitive, emotional and environmental factors. As a result, the program addresses multiple influences that affect behavioral patterns to promote and support long-term success.

To enroll in Sensei For Weight Loss[TM] or for additional information, visit www.sensei.com.

About Sensei

Headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, Sensei Inc. is a developer of innovative mobile and Web-based solutions that motivate and empower consumers to take charge of their well-being. Future programs that are planned include solutions for diabetes, hypertension, smoking, cardiovascular risk, stress and asthma.

About HUMANA

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 11.3 million medical members. Humana offers a diversified portfolio of health insurance products and related services - through traditional and consumer-choice plans - to employer groups employer group Association of employers Managed care An entity with a current group benefits agreement in effect with a health plan to provide covered health care services to its employee-subscribers and eligible dependents. , government-sponsored plans, and individuals.

Over its 46-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio. www.humana.com

About Card Guard

Card Guard AG, headquartered in Neuhausen am Rheinfall Neuhausen am Rheinfall (noi`houzən äm rīn`fäl), town (1990 pop. 10,619), Schaffhausen canton, N Switzerland, on the right bank of the Rhine River. It is a manufacturing center adjoining the city of Schaffhausen. , Switzerland, is a leading company for healthcare technologies and solutions, specializing in advanced telehealth systems and monitoring services for high-risk and chronically ill patients, including ordinary consumers of health products and those who are worried about their wellness. Card Guard has subsidiaries in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , the Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Israel. Among its subsidiaries, Card Guard AG, through its newly created holding company LifeWatch Corp., owns LifeWatch Services Inc., a leading US-based cardiac monitoring service provider, and LifeWatch Technologies Inc., a US-based manufacturer of telecardiology products. www.cardguard.com

* American Journal of Health Promotion, 2003. ** Study by Ostbye, Dement de·ment  
tr.v. de·ment·ed, de·ment·ing, de·ments
1. To make (a person) insane.

2. To cause (a person) to lose intellectual capacity.
 & Krause, 2007.
COPYRIGHT 2007 Business Wire
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Copyright 2007, Gale Group. All rights reserved.

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Publication:Business Wire
Date:Nov 14, 2007
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