# James O. Hill

James O. Hill (born 1951 in Crossville, Tennessee) is an American obesity researcher who serves as director of the NIH-funded Nutrition Obesity Research Center in the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In 2022, he received a five-year, $10.8 million award as part of the Nutrition for Precision Health (NPH) study through the National Institutes of Health's All of Us Research Program. He served as chair of the Department of Nutrition Sciences in the UAB School of Health Professions from 2018 - 2022. Hill previously served on the faculty of the University of Colorado, where his positions included director of the Colorado Nutrition Obesity Research Center, director of the Center for Human Nutrition, and founding executive director of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center. He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2014, and has served as president of the American Society for Nutrition and the Obesity Society. He is the co-founder of America on the Move, a non-profit organization promoting lifestyle changes to counteract obesity and related health problems, and the National Weight Control Registry, a prospective study of long-term weight loss that was the largest of its kind as of 2018.

## Early life and education

Hill received his bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee and his master's and Ph.D. degrees in physiology from the University of New Hampshire. He did a postdoctoral fellowship at Emory University, where he began his academic career.

## Academic career

Hill held faculty positions at Emory University and Vanderbilt University before joining the University of Colorado in 1992. At the University of Colorado, he served as a professor of pediatrics and medicine and as the director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. His research has primarily focused on the prevention and treatment of obesity and related conditions, such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

## National Weight Control Registry

In 1994, Hill co-founded the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) with Dr. Rena Wing. The NWCR tracks individuals who have lost at least 30 pounds and maintained the weight loss for over a year. The registry provides valuable insights into the behaviors and strategies that contribute to long-term weight management, making it one of the most comprehensive studies on successful weight loss.

## America on the Move Initiative

Hill was a leading force behind the "America on the Move" initiative, a national program aimed at encouraging Americans to make small, sustainable changes to their daily routines, such as walking more and reducing caloric intake, to prevent weight gain and promote healthier living. The initiative has been widely recognized for its practical approach to addressing the obesity epidemic.

## Leadership and contributions

Hill has held leadership positions in several national organizations. He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2014, recognizing his contributions to public health and obesity research. He also served as president of The Obesity Society and the American Society for Nutrition. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards for his research and public health efforts, including the TOPS Research Achievement Award, the George A. Bray Founders Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award in Obesity Research.

## Research and publications

Hill has authored or co-authored more than 700 scientific articles and book chapters on topics related to obesity, metabolism, and weight management. His work has shaped current approaches to weight control, emphasizing the importance of energy balance and lifestyle changes for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

## Awards and honors

Hill's contributions to the field of obesity and nutrition research have earned him numerous awards. These include: - **TOPS Research Achievement Award** from The Obesity Society - **George A. Bray Founders Award** - **Lifetime Achievement Award in Obesity Research**

## Personal life

Hill continues to live in Birmingham, Alabama, where he remains active in both research and public health initiatives. His work continues to inspire efforts to combat obesity at both individual and societal levels.