VITAM – Centre de Recherche en Santé Durable – Université Laval

Dr. Després is professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Université Laval in Québec City, Canada and Scientific Director of VITAM – Centre de recherche en santé durable (Research Centre on Sustainable Health). His research interests include obesity, adipose tissue distribution, visceral obesity, type 2 diabetes, lipids, lipoproteins, cardiovascular disease and their prevention through physical activity and healthy living. Thirty years ago, he was the first to report that an excess of fat in the abdominal cavity (visceral obesity) is particularly harmful to health. He is personally involved in major education and mobilization activities to prevent chronic societal diseases. He has published 766 papers and is one of the most cited researchers in his field (H-Index: 160).