Ian K. Smith
Age: 55
Birthplace: Danbury, Connecticut, U.S.
Ian K. Smith, M.D. (born July 15, 1969) is an American physician and author best known for his appearances on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club series, The View, and as a correspondent for NBC News. He is also the host of HealthWatch with Dr. Ian Smith, a nationally syndicated daily news feature heard on American Urban Radio Networks. He resides in Chicago. On January 11, 2016, Smith revealed on the "Opie with Jim Norton" show that his third cousin was Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, whom he had also never met.
Education
Smith, a native of Danbury, Connecticut, graduated from Immaculate High School (Danbury), received a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College in 1992, and a master’s in science education from Columbia University in 1993.
He attended Dartmouth Medical School, then completed the last two years of his medical education and graduated from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.
Professional career
In April 2007, Dr. Ian Smith launched the 50 Million Pound Challenge. The challenge is a national health initiative encouraging people to come together and take control of their health by getting fit, losing excess weight and turning back the deadly toll of weight-related diseases that threaten nearly half of Americans. The Challenge is a free campaign supported by national civic and health organizations. It is helping cities, civic groups, friends and families team up to help reverse the epidemic of excess weight and create a culture of healthier living.
Smith has written eight books including The Fat Smash Diet, a 90-day diet program that focuses on "smashing" bad eating and exercise habits and establishing new healthy ones. His book Happy was released in April 2010. His book The Truth About Men was released in April 2012, Shred: The Revolutionary Diet was released in December 2012, and Super Shred: The Big Results Diet was published in December 2013. Additionally, Dr. Ian founded the 50 Million Pounds website. The website developed a partnership with CVS Pharmacy, among other companies. In 2015, Smith will publish The Shred Diet Cookbook and The Shred Power Cleanse.
In partnership with CVS, the 50 Million Pound Challenge will participate in a series of free community health events in urban communities across the country. CVS will host over 250 "To Your Health" fairs in Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, providing comprehensive health risk assessments and screenings including diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and osteoporosis.
Dr. Ian has appeared extensively on various broadcasts including “The View,” “The Tyra Banks Show,” “Larry King Live,” “Anderson Cooper 360,” “Showbiz Tonight,” “The Verdict with Dan Abrams,” "Rachael Ray Show," and "The Opie and Anthony Show." He has written for Time, Newsweek, Men’s Health, and the New York Daily News, and has been featured in other publications including People, Essence, Ebony, Cosmopolitan, and University of Chicago Medicine on the Midway.
Dr. Ian's July 2010 newsletter on the 50 Million Pounds website revealed that he was appointed to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. This committee advises the President about opportunities to develop physical activity, fitness, sports and nutrition programs for all Americans regardless of age, background or ability.