Dr. Jean-Pierre Després is a distinguished professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Université Laval in Quebec, Canada, where he has established himself as a world leader in metabolic health research. Following the completion of his PhD in Exercise Physiology at Université Laval in 1984, he pursued postdoctoral studies at the University of Toronto from 1984 to 1986, laying the foundation for his illustrious career in metabolic research. Dr. Després has held numerous prestigious leadership positions including Scientific Director of VITAM - Centre de recherche en santé durable and Director of the International Chair on Cardiometabolic Risk at Université Laval since 2005. His career trajectory has been marked by significant contributions to understanding the relationship between body fat distribution and health outcomes, establishing him as one of the most influential researchers in his field.
Dr. Després pioneered groundbreaking research on visceral obesity, being the first to demonstrate through medical imaging techniques over thirty years ago that excess fat localized in the abdominal cavity poses particularly severe health risks. His extensive body of work includes more than 769 scientific articles and 60 book chapters, accumulating over 175,686 citations with an impressive H-index of 161, making him the most cited active researcher at Université Laval. His research has fundamentally transformed understanding of the connections between abdominal obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, providing critical evidence that has shaped clinical guidelines and public health recommendations worldwide. The practical applications of his discoveries have directly informed prevention strategies and treatment approaches for cardiometabolic disorders affecting millions globally.
As a dedicated knowledge mobilizer, Dr. Després has served as editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Obesity from 1992 to 2000 and continues to contribute to multiple scientific journal editorial boards. He actively engages in large-scale education and mobilization activities to prevent chronic lifestyle-related diseases, serving as the scientific lead for the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie initiative. His current research focuses on bridging public health approaches with local healthcare and social services, emphasizing sustainable health promotion and prevention strategies. Dr. Després remains at the forefront of cardiovascular and metabolic research, continuing to influence the global scientific community through his leadership in the International Chair on Cardiometabolic Risk and his commitment to translating scientific discoveries into tangible health benefits for the population.
