First comprehensive health and fitness program available for CD-ROM users.

SCRANTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 6, 1994--ICS Learning Systems, the world's largest provider of home-based education and independent study opportunities, Tuesday announced the availability of Total Health Body & Mind, a CD-ROM program for IBM-compatible personal computers that allows users to create a customized wellness program for each member of the family.

The first comprehensive program of its kind, Total Health integrates some of today's best-selling health and fitness titles into one complete package, eliminating the need to purchase and piece together individual units.

Total Health helps monitor the general health, nutrition, fitness and level of stress for each user. The multimedia program provides detailed information for men and women of all ages, including users with special health conditions such as pregnancy, diabetes, bone and joint problems and physical disabilities.

``Total Health is like having a family doctor and personal trainer accessible 24 hours a day in the privacy and convenience of your own home,'' said Jim Lytle, vice president of product development and support for ICS.

``With medical reference guides and interactive reference sections covering Diet and Nutrition, Fitness and Exercise, and Stress Management, Total Health puts a world of information at your fingertips. Each section combines practical information with colorful graphics and easy instructions to help people improve their health and have fun at the same time.''

With nearly 10 years of experience in the computer-based training, ICS' computer-related courses are its fastest-growing product line. ICS chose the CD-ROM format for its Total Health program because it provides the most dynamic platform for all types of learners, regardless of individual learning styles. Total Health allows users to progress at their own pace, and combines text with graphics, animations, video and sound to appeal to all senses of the learner.

To begin, each person answers a series of questions to create a Personal Assessment Profile. Based on that profile, Total Health provides specific recommendations for improvement and a three-week prescription plan. After completing the plan, users can assess their health again to identify their improvement and revise their prescriptions.

Total Health's interactive reference sections and tools include: -0-

-- Diet and Nutrition. To help improve nutritional habits, the Total Health Diet and Nutrition Reference section provides important facts and tips on such topics as dietary guidelines, maintaining a healthy weight, label reading, and vitamins and minerals. It also includes information about special conditions such as food allergies, high cholesterol, heart disease and cancer.

In addition, Total Health includes Master Cook II which features 1,000 recipes, each with complete nutritional information. The computerized program enables users to easily adjust serving sizes, substitute ingredients and build shopping lists. Users can also compile their own cookbooks of personal favorites.

-- Fitness and Exercise. For each user, Total Health designs an individualized exercise program, including toning, strength-building and aerobic exercises. The Fitness and Exercise Reference section explains how to measure heart rate, control weight, build strength and endurance, warm up and cool down.

-- Stress Management. The Stress Management Reference section enables users to explore and identify symptoms and sources of stress. It shows users how to manage stress through various coping strategies and tips on how to deal with stress.

-- Medical Reference. The Medical Reference section features BodyWorks, a comprehensive guide to the human body. BodyWorks allows users to explore the body from head to toe, and illustrates how each part functions and interrelates with others. In addition, it provides a special health section and medical database.

The Medical Reference section also includes PharmAssist, a complete guide to over-the-counter and prescription drugs. It provides detailed information about drugs, side effects, drug interactions, first aid, abused drugs and travel vaccines.

-- Family Filing Cabinet. In addition to interactive reference sections, Total Health features a Family Filing Cabinet for computerized storage of medical records and quick access to important information such as doctor visits, vaccinations and allergies. It also enables users to print cost summaries to keep track of expenses.

System requirements include a 486 SX/25 MHz processor; 4 MB RAM (8 MB recommended); 15 MB minimum available hard disk space; 150 KB/sec CD-ROM (300 KB/sec recommended); 16-bit sound, MIDI; 256 color video display; Microsoft Windows 3.1; and headphones or speakers.

The program will also run on a 386 processor although video portions may not run at optimal performance. For technical assistance and support, users may contact ICS' Multimedia Department at 717/344-2199.

Total Health retails for $69 and is available in more than 15,000 retail outlets across the country or by contacting ICS Learning Systems directly via phone at 717/961-4638, or fax: [phone]. Total Health is also available to retailers through Soft Key at 617/494-1200, or fax: [phone]. ICS offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

With headquarters in Scranton, ICS Learning Systems serves more than 300,000 students in nearly 150 countries, with offices in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. ICS offers more than 50 courses in the United States, all accredited by the National Home Study Council, and more than 100 courses abroad.

ICS is a subsidiary of National Education Corp., which is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NEC. ICS' revenues in 1993 were $101.3 million, up 12 percent from $90.3 million in 1992. -0-

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Connie Roloff, 619/450-0030