SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 Current Report
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)      December 14, 2001
                                                 -------------------------------

                 Health & Nutrition Systems International, Inc.
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                     Florida
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                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

        0-29245                                          65-0452156
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(Commission File Number)                       (IRS Employer Identification No.)

          3750 Investment Lane, Suite 5, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407
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          (Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code            (561) 863-8446
                                                     ---------------------------

                                       N/A
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          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Item 5.  Other Events
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         See Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by
reference.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits
         ---------------------------------

         (c) Exhibits:

             99.1 Press Release dated December 17, 2001

                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                       HEALTH & NUTRITION SYSTEMS
                                       INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                       By: /s/Christopher Tisi
                                          ------------------------------------
                                           Christopher Tisi, President and CEO

Dated:  December 17, 2001

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

HNS NEWS                                                       [GRAPHIC OMITTED]
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Health and Nutrition Systems International, Inc.
3750 Investment Lane,  Suite 5
West  Palm  Beach, Fl.  33404                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel (561) 863-8446  Fax (561) 863-9511                     ---------------------
www.hnsglobal.com

                HEALTH AND NUTRITION SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                  RESIGNATION OF CEO AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

West Palm Beach, Fl., DECEMBER 17, 2001 - Health and Nutrition Systems
International, Inc. (OTC-BB:HNNS) announced today that Steven Pomerantz has
resigned as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Treasurer of the
Company effective December 14, 2001 to pursue other opportunities. Chris Tisi,
the Company's President, has been appointed to serve as Chief Executive Officer
and interim Chairman of the Board.

About Health & Nutrition Systems, Int. Inc.

HNS develops and markets weight management products to over 25,000 Health, Food
and Drug Store locations. The company's products can be found in Albertson's,
Brooks (Maxi Drug), CVS, GNC, Duane Reade, Eckerd's, Giant Eagle, Giant
Landover, H.E. Butt Grocery Co., Longs, Pharmor, Rite Aid, Target, Vitamin
Shoppe, Vitamin World, Walgreens and Wakefern stores, as well as 4,000
independent health food stores, gyms and pharmacies. Additional information can
be found on the company's website at www.hnsglobal.com.

All statements in this press release, other than historical facts, are
forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions
and analyses made by HNS in light of its experience and its perception of
historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other
factors it believes are appropriate under the circumstances. Since these
statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any
time, the company's actual results may differ materially from the company's
plans if its assumptions prove to be incorrect, or, for a variety of other
reasons, including general and economic business conditions; increased
competition from other weight management product suppliers; market acceptance of
both company developed and third party products sold by HNS; loss of chain store
accounts; product and technology changes and availability of products from
third-party suppliers and those factors identified in Health & Nutrition
Systems, International, Inc's Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2000
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media/IR Contact: James Dryer, Flagler Communications Group (561)832-1066
flagcom@bellsouth.net