Dr. David S. Ludwig, MD, PhD

David S. Ludwig, MD, PhD, is a paediatric endocrinologist and nutrition researcher at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, known above all for paediatric endocrinology, obesity and metabolic nutrition. He holds the position of Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Nutrition, and practising endocrinologist.

His principal interests are childhood and adolescent obesity treatment; carbohydrate quality, insulin and body weight regulation; and sugar sweetened beverages and metabolic health. Among the honours held by Dr. David Ludwig is the E. V. McCollum Award for Clinical Research.

A medically qualified nutrition researcher brings clinical understanding to the design of trials and cohort studies, which is part of why findings from this group translate readily into guidelines. Dr. David Ludwig works in paediatric endocrinology, obesity and metabolic nutrition.

Who Dr. David Ludwig Is

• Full Name And Credentials: David S. Ludwig, MD, PhD
• Profession: Paediatric endocrinologist and nutrition researcher
• Field Of Focus: Paediatric endocrinology, obesity and metabolic nutrition
• Current Position: Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Nutrition, and practising endocrinologist
• Institution: Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts
• Sees Patients: Yes, in a clinical setting

Academic Background Of Dr. David Ludwig

The qualifications below are drawn from the institutional, professional body and publisher sources listed at the end of this profile.

• Medical Degree: MD, Stanford University School of Medicine
• Doctorate: PhD, Stanford University School of Medicine
• Internship and Residency: Paediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital
• Fellowship: Paediatric endocrinology, Boston Children’s Hospital
• Board Certification: Paediatrics with subspecialty training in paediatric endocrinology

Scientific And Clinical Interests Of Dr. David Ludwig

Published professional sources describe the work of Dr. David Ludwig as centred on:

• Childhood and adolescent obesity treatment
• Carbohydrate quality, insulin and body weight regulation
• Sugar sweetened beverages and metabolic health
• Food environment and advertising policy
• Low glycaemic load and low carbohydrate dietary approaches

Positions, Editorial And Advisory Roles Of Dr. David Ludwig

• Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, and Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Founding Director of the Optimal Weight for Life programme at Boston Children’s Hospital, established in 1996 and among the oldest and largest multidisciplinary clinics for children with obesity
• Co-Director, New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center
• First incumbent of the John Fielding Crigler Jr. Chair in Pediatric Endocrinology, 2007
• Lead author on the carbohydrate-insulin model of obesity
• Author of Always Hungry? and Ending the Food Fight

Recognition And Academic Standing Of Dr. David Ludwig

• E. V. McCollum Award for Clinical Research, American Society for Nutrition, 2008
• Oded Bar-Or Award for Pediatric Obesity Research, The Obesity Society, 2015
• Samuel J. Fomon Nutrition Award, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2019
• Fellow of The Obesity Society
• Described by Time magazine as an obesity warrior for his work on the food environment

Dr. David Ludwig Appointments By Location

Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Boston, Massachusetts. Clinical commitments at this institution are arranged through its own departments and services. Confirm the current address, department and telephone number with the institution before travelling, because academic appointments and clinic sites change.

What Paediatric Endocrinology And Nutrition Can And Cannot Tell You

Paediatric nutrition covers feeding from pregnancy and infancy through childhood and adolescence, a period when growth is fast and nutritional needs change quickly. Research in this field examines breastfeeding and human milk composition, protein and fat intake in the first years, and how early growth patterns relate to later risk of obesity and metabolic disease. Because children cannot be treated as small adults, both the science and the clinical care are distinct.

Further Specialists Working In Paediatric Endocrinology And Nutrition

If you are comparing specialists, these profiles cover closely related areas of nutrition:

• Dr. Berthold Koletzko, paediatric nutrition at Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, LMU University Hospital, LMU University of Munich
• Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller, glycaemic index research at School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney
• Dr. David Jenkins, glycaemic index research at University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital
• Dr. Junshi Chen, nutrition and food safety science at China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment

Browse the full dietitian and nutritionist directory for more specialists.

Referral Pathway For Dr. David Ludwig

Dr. David Ludwig practises as an endocrinologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and founded its Optimal Weight for Life clinic. Access is usually arranged through the institution, a referring doctor or its own clinic rather than through this directory. Insurance participation, fees and waiting times vary by institution and by plan, and they change over time, so check coverage with both the institution and your insurer before scheduling. Use the enquiry button on this page to ask about availability.

Your Questions About Dr. David Ludwig

What does Dr. David Ludwig specialise in?

Dr. David Ludwig is a paediatric endocrinologist and nutrition researcher whose work centres on paediatric endocrinology, obesity and metabolic nutrition. Particular areas of focus include childhood and adolescent obesity treatment; and carbohydrate quality, insulin and body weight regulation.

Where is Dr. David Ludwig based?

Dr. David Ludwig works at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts.

Does Dr. David Ludwig see patients?

Yes. Dr. David Ludwig practises as an endocrinologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and founded its Optimal Weight for Life clinic. Availability, waiting times and the services offered change, so confirm current arrangements with the institution before travelling.

What did Dr. David Ludwig study?

MD, Stanford University School of Medicine. Full training details appear in the education section above.

What are the qualifications of Dr. David Ludwig?

David S. Ludwig, MD, PhD. Paediatrics with subspecialty training in paediatric endocrinology.

What position does Dr. David Ludwig hold?

Dr. David Ludwig is Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Nutrition, and practising endocrinologist, based at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Source References For Dr. David Ludwig

• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health faculty profile
• Boston Children’s Hospital clinician profile
• New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center

Fact Checking Process For This Dr. David Ludwig Profile

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including university faculty pages, professional register and society records, journal author statements and publisher biographies. Qualifications, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

Reader Notice For This Paediatric Endocrinology And Nutrition Profile

Information only, not medical or dietary advice. Location, services, insurance and availability change, so confirm details with Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.