New Survey Finds Words Speak Louder Than Actions: Concerned about Heart Disease, Many People Don`t Exercise or Get Cholesterol Checked

Cheerios® Makes Cholesterol Screening Possible for Women in Need Through Circle
of Helping Hearts Program
MINNEAPOLIS--(Business Wire)--
According to a new survey,whilenearly two-thirds of adults (65 percent) report
one or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease and 87 percent are at least
somewhat concerned that they may develop heart disease, many do not take steps
that may help them in the fight against this disease.

The survey of more than 2,000 adults, conducted by Harris Interactive® for
Cheerios®, found that 65 percent of U.S. adults reported having a heart disease
risk factor, including a family history of high cholesterol (24 percent), high
blood pressure (25 percent), smoking (20 percent), or being overweight/obese (35
percent). Despite this, more than one-third of adults (37 percent) have not had
their cholesterol checked within the past year and more than half of adults (52
percent) do not exercise regularly (at least three times per week).

As for the reasons why some adults did not have their cholesterol checked, 31
percent cited lack of concern about their cholesterol levels, while one in five
adults (21 percent) cited lack of health insurance as a barrier to getting
screened. Those with limited access to adequate healthcare may not get regular
cholesterol screenings and thus are at an even greater risk of heart disease.

Additionally, women are more likely than men to feel it is extremely or very
important to raise awareness about heart disease (86% vs. 75%, respectively).
Wondering how you can help? Now through January 31st, 2010, for every code
entered at www.cheerioshelpinghearts.com, Cheerios will donate $1, up to
$200,000, to raise awareness for heart disease and provide free cholesterol
screenings for women in need, through its partnership with WomenHeart. Codes
will be featured inside specially marked boxes of Cheerios cereal.

"It is important for Americans, especially women who are at the most risk for
heart disease, to be provided with the ability to have their cholesterol
screened even if they do not have health insurance," said Jeff Hingher, Cheerios
Marketing. "We are dedicated to increasing awareness and providing funding to
resources such as WomenHeart for cholesterol screenings and education for women
in need."

Everyone can lower their risk of heart disease by taking simple steps each day,
such as choosing foods like Cheerios that are part of a heart-healthy diet and
getting the recommended amount of physical activity. For more information on the
CheeriosCircle of Helping Hearts program visit www.cheerioshelpinghearts.com.

Survey Methodology

This Heart Health and Cholesterol survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on
behalf of Cheerios.All data collection was done online within the United States
between January 9 and January 13, 2009 among 2,416 adults ages 18+, of whom,
1,207 are women, 1,209 are men, and 1,038 have not had their cholesterol level
checked within the past year. This online survey is not based on a probability
sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be
calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables,
please contact Allison Greco or Kim Bow Sundy.

About Cheerios

Cheerios, America's No. 1 cereal, debuted in 1941 as Cheerioats.The nation's
first ready-to-eat oat cereal has since become one of the most trusted and
recognized brands in America.In fact, one of every 10 boxes of cereal sold in
America is a box of Cheerios.General Mills' popular franchise includes Cheerios,
Honey Nut Cheerios, Frosted Cheerios, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, MultiGrain
Cheerios, Berry Burst Cheerios, Fruity Cheerios, Cheerios Crunch, Yogurt Burst
Cheerios and Banana Nut Cheerios.For more information, go to www.cheerios.com.

About WomenHeart

WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is the nation's
only patient advocacy organization representing the eight million women living
with heart disease. It aims to improve their quality of life and healthcare
through support, information and advocacy. For more information, visit
http://www.womenheart.org.

Coyne PR
Allison Greco, 973-316-1665
agreco@coynepr.com
or
General Mills
Kim Bow Sundy, 763-764-2591
Kimberley.BowSundy@genmills.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009