Dr. Ian K. Smith was born on 15 July 1969 in Danbury, Connecticut and received a bachelor's degree from Harvard College in 1992 and a master's degree in science education from Columbia University in 1993. He went on to attend Dartmouth Medical School and then graduated from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Almost as impressive as his academic accomplishments, Dr. Smith is active in numerous charitable causes and has been honored by several organizations.

Smith is a medical expert and author known for his appearances on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club series and as a correspondent for NBC News and has appeared on NewsChannel 4 where he filed reports for NBC's "Nightly News" and the "Today" show as well as WNBC's various news broadcasts. He has appeared extensively on various broadcasts including "The View,” “The Tyra Banks Show,” “Larry King Live,” and “Anderson Cooper 360.” He has written for various publications including Time, Newsweek, Men’s Health, and the New York Daily News, and has been featured in several other publications including, People, Essence, Ebony, Cosmopolitan, and University of Chicago's Medicine on the Midway. Smith also hosts HealthWatch with Dr. Ian Smith, a nationally-syndicated daily news feature heard on American Urban Radio Networks.

Known simply as "Dr. Ian," Smith currently focuses on weight loss and health matters online through various venues. His "50 Million Pound Challenge" site encourages viewers to lose weight through diet and exercise in a community-like atmosphere.

Dr. Smith is the author of five books, including the #1 New York Times Bestseller, Extreme Fat Smash Diet, the #1 New York Times Bestseller, The Fat Smash Diet, the critically acclaimed The Blackbird Papers (2005 BCALA fiction Honor Book Award winner), Dr. Ian Smith's Guide to Medical Websites, and The Take-Control Diet.  He is currently at work on his second novel. Smith is married and currently resides in Manhattan, New York City.