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EMERYVILLE, Calif., September 15, 2011 – Between classes, work, study and social obligations, college students often fall into a food trap of pizza, candy bars and sugary drinks, with their only exercise coming from frantic sprints between classes. In addition to unwanted long-term health effects, this cycle can lead to serious energy shortages and brain fatigue.

CLIF® BAR, the original energy bar made with organic ingredients, is on a mission to educate college students about the benefits of outdoor activity. Beginning Sept. 15 and continuing while supplies last, CLIF BAR is rewarding college students who post their active study breaks on Twitter with a CLIF BAR Energy Pack to energize their pursuits. Collegians who follow @ClifBar on Twitter and post their active #StudyBreak will be eligible to receive an Energy Pack that includes great tasting CLIF BARs, fitness tips, water bottles and other items intended to make outdoor recreation fun.

“CLIF BAR wants college students to know that getting outdoors for an active study break isn’t just a good idea for physical health, but can help you stay mentally sharp in the classroom,” said Carly Lutz, brand director, CLIF brands. “Getting out of the dorm and going for a run or a bike ride around campus is an essential part of keeping your mind in shape, as well as your body.”

The benefits of outdoor activity are scientifically undeniable, and CLIF BAR compiled a short list of ways college students benefit from getting outside and working up a sweat:

Cardiovascular Fitness Improves Cognitive Functioning
Activities that improve cardiovascular fitness, such as cycling and running, lead to improvements in cognitive functioning in ways that benefit every college student, including memory, how fast information can be recalled and the ability to pay attention.

Exercising Outdoors Beats Hitting the Gym
Compared with exercising indoors, exercising in natural environments creates greater feelings of revitalization and increased energy, helps people relate better with others and is a serious stress-buster.

Outdoor Activity Can Stave off the Dreaded Freshman 15
Research suggests that as many as 70 percent of college students gain a significant amount of weight between the start of college and sophomore year. In addition to the brain benefits of exercise, burning just an extra 143 calories per day—about what a 150-pound person will burn in 15 minutes playing Ultimate Frisbee® or 20 minutes of roller skating —can mean 15 fewer pounds at the end of one year.

College is the Perfect Place to Develop Lifelong Healthy Habits
A student’s role as “learner” during the college years makes it an ideal time to develop new healthy habits outside the classroom, and the earlier those exercise and nutrition habits are formed, the greater the chance they will stick for life.

About Clif Bar & Company
Clif Bar & Company is a leading maker of nutritious and organic foods and drinks, including CLIF® BAR energy bar, LUNA®, The Whole Nutrition Bar for Women®; and CLIF Kid®, Nourishing Kids in Motion®. Focused on sports nutrition and healthy snacks, the employee and family-owned company is committed to sustaining its people, brands, business, community and planet. For more information on Clif Bar & Company, please visit www.clifbar.com, check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/clifbar and follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/clifbar.

Recently Clif Bar & Company was ranked the No. 1 brand in the Forbes Breakaway Brands survey, conducted by Landor Associates using Young & Rubicam’s BrandAsset Valuator database measuring brand momentum from 2006 to 2009. (Forbes.com)

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