Walter Willett

Who is Walter Willett?

Walter Willett, M.D., Dr.P.H. is an American physician and nutrition researcher. Currently, Willett is the Fredrick John Stare Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition and the chair of the department of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health. He is also a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Willett is the principal investigator of the second Nurses' Health Study, a compilation of studies regarding the health of older women and their risk factors for major chronic diseases. He has published more than 1,000 scientific articles regarding various aspects of diet and disease and is the second most cited author in clinical medicine.

Frequently in the public eye, Willett is perhaps best known for his 2001 book Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy, which presents nutritional information and recommendations based on the currently available body of nutrition science. His book also is critical of many popular misconceptions about diet and nutrition, including ideas presented by guidelines from American organizations such as the USDA. Dr. Willett is frequently quoted by the media in articles regarding nutrition.