Gary Foster
Austin
-Texas-
United States

Dr. Gary D. Foster has been the Chief Science Officer at Weight Watchers International, Inc. since July 3, 2014. Dr. Foster served as a Co-Chief Science Officer at Weight Watchers International, Inc. since August 2013 until July 3, 2014. Dr. Foster has more than 30 years of experience. Dr. Foster previously was the Founder and Director of the Center of Obesity Research and Education and Laura Carnell Professor of Medicine, Public Health and Psychology t Temple University in Philadelphia. Prior to Temple, he served as a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania School of Mediciane. He has authored or coauthored more than 160 scientific publications and three books on the etiology and treatment of obesity.

Dr. Foster’s research interests include the prevention, behavioral determinants, treatments, and effects of obesity in adults and children. Dr. Foster’s recent research topics include the effects of weight loss on diabetes and sleep, and the prevention of obesity in school and community settings. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. His research on the school-based prevention of obesity (Pediatrics, 2008) was cited by the American Heart Association as one of the top 10 advances in cardiovascular research in 2008. He also has clinical experience treating overweight patients in individual and group settings for more than 25 years. Dr. Foster also frequently presents at scientific meetings worldwide and has received numerous awards and honors, including: serving as President of the Obesity Society (2008), receiving an Honorary Membership from the American Dietetic Association, and recognition for his Outstanding Contributions to Health Psychology from the American Psychological Association. Dr. Foster earned his B.A. in Psychology from Duquesne University, M.S. in Psychology from University of Pennsylvania, and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University.