PRESS RELEASE

Groningen, 28 September 2005 - This morning, in the presence of the Commissioner to the Queen of Groningen, Mr J.G.M. Alders, the Groningen Expert Centre for Kids with Obesity (GEC-KO) signs an agreement with the Dutch drugstore Kruidvat to financing a unique study on the cause of children obesity. Kruidvat will donate EUR 2.250.000 to GEC-KO.

GEC-KO took a start on 1 January 2005 under the supervision of the paediatrics' Professor dr. P.J.J. Sauer. The expert centre performs scientific research on the metabolism processes that can lead to obesity in children. The expert centre also focuses on treatment and prevention of obesity in children.

One out of ten children in the Netherlands is overweight and that number is growing. These children are at high risks of developing diabetes and heart diseases at an early stage. Bad eating habits and a sitting life are well-known causes of obesity, but it doesn't end there. Why is one child obese and the next not, even though their eating and living patterns are alike? That is the question the research of GEC-KO is aimed at, for the answer to this question leads the way to prevention.

An important part of the research is the study of about 5500 babies to be born in the period April 1, 2006 through April 1, 2007, in de province of Drenthe. In the last three months of the pregnancy, the GECKO Drenthe team will already contact the parents-to-be, through the obstetrician or midwife. Thus, the observation period starts three months before the expected date of birth and the children will be followed into adulthood. The purpose of the study is to unravel the biological, social and environmental risk factors for childhood obesity.

Professor Sauer is very happy with the donation of Kruidvat: "obesity threatens not only the health of many children, but causes also social problems: children are being bullied, are having trouble doing sports or are unhappy with their appearance. Programmes to fight obesity, such as sports and consuming less fat don't always seem to deliver the desired results. Science grows wiser by the day, but we're not there yet. Much more research is needed on metabolic processes that lead to obesity, so that eventually, we will be able to act in time and we will be bale to inform people in the best possible way. However, research is always very costly."

Jürgen Schreiber, CEO of Kruidvat parent company AS Watson: "Kruidvat takes a central part in society. We are celebrating our 30th anniversary and that is a perfect occasion to contribute to a solution for an important health problem. We know that obesity is a subject that is important to a substantial client group of Kruidvat, young families, and we are very pleased with this form of involvement with the fundamental research of GEC-KO. Naturally, we will address this growing health issue in our Kruidvat stores".

AS Watson Group (ASW) is the world's largest health & beauty retailer. In the Netherlands, Kruidvat en Trekpleister en Ici Paris XL is part of the AS Watson Health & Beauty. AS Watson is a member of the Hutchison Whampoa Group which is a multi-national conglomerate with investments and operations in 51 countries around the world.

GEC-KO is an initiative of the University Medical Centre Groningen.