Exclusive Interview with the Leading Nutritionist Dr. Walter C. Willett -- Unlocking the Secrets of Diet and Heart Disease

On April 16, 2025, the Editorial Office of Vessel Plus conducted a special interview with Dr. Walter C. Willett, a world-renowned nutrition scientist and Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

With over four decades of pioneering research on diet and disease, Dr. Walter Willett offered profound insights into the connections between nutrition and major chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. He emphasized the significant influence of changing cultural and dietary habits on cardiovascular disease and highlighted the importance of choosing healthier fats over harmful alternatives. Dr. Willett also underscored the vital role of global dietary guidelines in tackling the growing burden of chronic diseases, which often follow a progression from obesity to diabetes, cardiovascular and kidney disease, and eventually dementia. He advocates for dietary patterns that emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based proteins, while reducing red meat, dairy, sodium, and sugar-sweetened beverages. Finally, he encouraged young scholars to pursue careers in nutrition science, highlighting its intellectual depth, interdisciplinary scope, and meaningful impact on public health.

Personal Introduction

Dr. Walter C. Willett, M.D., PhD., is a towering figure in nutritional epidemiology. Educated at the University of Michigan and Harvard, he has dedicated his career to unraveling the complex interplay between diet and chronic diseases. As the principal investigator of the Nurses’ Health Studies and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study—cohorts tracking nearly 300,000 individuals—his work has redefined our understanding of how dietary choices influence heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Dr. Willett is among the most cited nutritionists globally and has received numerous national and international awards for his research. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and has been recognized for his contributions to understanding the relationship between diet and chronic diseases.

His leadership and research have significantly influenced dietary guidelines and public health policies worldwide, emphasizing the importance of nutrition in disease prevention and health promotion.

Awards and Honors

Member of the National Academy of Medicine
Chair, USDA/HHS Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (2015)
Top Ten Most Influential Biomedical Researchers (2016)
CASE Circle of Excellence Silver Award (2018)
Research.com Best Scientist Award (Medicine) (2023)
Research.com Best Scientist Award (Medicine) (2024)

Editor: Jane Meng
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully submitted by the Editorial Office of Vessel Plus