Larry Cheskin, MD
Bariatric MedicineInternal MedicineGastroenterology
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Young Adult 18-25
- Adult 26-64
- Older Adult 65+
Languages
- English
In-Network Plans
View All Accepted Plans (12)Gender
MaleJohns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Larry Cheskin
Primary Academic Title
Associate Professor of Medicine
Johns Hopkins Physician
Background
Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD, FACP, FTOS, is now an adjunct professor of gastroenterology and general internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Since 2019, he has also been a professor (and chair from 2019 to 2024) of Nutrition and Food Studies in the College of Public Health at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
In his research, Dr. Cheskin studies the effectiveness of various lifestyle and dietary changes in weight loss and weight maintenance. He has experience in the design and implementation of controlled clinical trials and laboratory studies of different dietary techniques, as well as individual and community-based interventions, including those targeting underserved residents of inner-city and suburban Baltimore. His background and experience are broad, ranging from basic science work on dopamine genetics to efforts aimed at preventing childhood obesity through systems-focused studies of the effects of policies and the built environment. Most recently, he has been studying health risk factors among young adult college students and the utility of mHealth in positively influencing diet and weight control. He has written approximately 250 peer-reviewed publications and 9 books and is frequently cited in the media on issues related to obesity, nutrition, and dieting.
Centers and Institutes
Clinical Trial Keywords
obesity; behavior modification; exercise; diet; diabetes; nutrition
Clinical Trials Summary
Look AHEAD
Recent News Articles and Media Coverage
- US Obesity Battle: What can and is being done Al-Jazeera TV( September 18, 2012)
- High Quality, Low Cost HealthCare Video Interview Series: Lawrence Cheskin, MD Talks About TRIMM , HealthWorks Collective (March 12, 2013)
- Voices from Public Health, Lerner Center (February 19, 2016)
- Study Health risks stem from college students’ meals, Fox 5 Washington DC news (September 30, 2022)
- The Diane Rehm Show; WAMU 88.5, and nationally syndicated, WAMU, (Oct 27, 2024)
- Diets, Detox and Nutrition: What works, what doesn’t. The Kojo Nnamdi Show, WAMU 88.5 (January 18, 2012)
- Baltimore's Future: Dr. Lawrence Cheskin, FM Baltimore (July 17, 2014)
- “The Daily Circuit: The (Latest) Diet Winner- Low Carb“ – Drs. Marion Nestle and Lawrence Cheskin. YMPR, Minnesota Public Radio, MPR NEWs (September 9, 2014)
- Navigating romance during Dry January? Here are tips for sober dating, Washington Post (January 6, 2023)
- What Is a High-Fiber Diet?, US News (Sept. 5, 2023
- More Evidence That Obesity Is A Global Catastrophe In Slow Motion, Forbes (Apr 7, 2016)
- National Geographic “Why are we so fat?” C Newman, 2004; “Are You a StressEater?” Colino, (May 23, 2023).
- How to Lose Belly Fat in Two Weeks, According to Weight Loss Experts, Prevention (Oct 24, 2023)
- 12 Science-Backed Ways to Lose Belly Fat for Good, According to Weight Loss Experts, Womendays (Nov 14, 2019)
- 12 Common Causes of Sudden Weight Gain, Men'sWealth (Jan 31, 2024)
- Should college students really be worried about the freshman 15? Northern Virginia (June 28, 2019)
Research Interests
Obesity, Weight control, Nutrition, Health behavior change
Google Scholar - Publications
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=wzBFAwoAAAAJ&hl=en
PubMed - Publications
Selected Publications
Cheskin LJ, Hess JM, Henningfield J, Gorelick DA. Calorie restriction increases cigarette use in smokers. Psychopharmacology: 179(2):430-6, 2005
Bennett WE, Wilson RF, Zhang A, Tseng E, Knapp EA, Kharrazi H, Stuart E, Shogbesan O, Bass E, Cheskin LJ. Methods for Evaluating Natural Experiments in Obesity: A Systematic Review . Annals of Internal Medicine 168(11):791-800), 2018
Chen HJ, Wang Y, Cheskin LJ. Relationship between frequency of eating and cardiovascular disease mortality in U.S. adults: the NHANES III follow-up study. Annals of Epidemiology, 2016 Jun 15. pii: S1047-2797(16)30165-X. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2016.06.006
Garcia-Alvarez A, Cunningham CA, Mui B, Penn L, Spaulding EM, Oakes MA, Divers J, Cheskin LJ. A randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial of a decaffeinated energy drink shows no significant effect on mental energy. Am J Clinical Nutrition, in press, 2020
Lin M, *Mahmooth Z, *Dedhia N, Frutchey R, *Mercado CE, Epstein DH, Preston KL, Gibbons MC, Bowie JV, Labrique AB, *Cheskin LJ. Tailored, interactive text messages for enhancing weight loss among African-American adults. The American Journal of Medicine, 128(8): 896-904, 2015
Honors
- Fellow, American College of Physicians (FACP)
- Fellow, The Obesity Society (FTOS)
Locations
- Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - Green Spring Station, Lutherville
- 10753 Falls Road, Pavilion II, STE 305, Lutherville, MD 21093
- Get Directions
- phone: 410-955-0670
- fax: 410-616-7421
Expertise
Education
- Fellowship: Yale New Haven Health, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 1986
- Residency: New York Medical College, Internal Medicine, 1983
- Medical Education: Dartmouth College School of Medicine, MD, 1980
Board Certifications
- Internal Medicine: American Board of Internal Medicine, 1985
Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
4.8 out of 5
80 ratings, 41 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/20/2026
A doctor's doctor. Learned, brilliant, compassionate.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/19/2026
Dr. Cheskin is very attentive. The best doctor ever.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/12/2026
Great doctor who listen to me and explained everything about the condition and medications. He even made the follow up appointment for me himself. I am looking forward to working with him.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/6/2026
Dr. Cheskin is amazing as a provider. He is patient, kind and a great listener.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/6/2026
I thought he was very knowledgeable in his field and I enjoyed my visit very much. He is funny and has a nice sense of humor for sure.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/27/2026
He was excellent as always.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/13/2026
The doctor listen to my concerns and help make a good plan of action with me. He had a good bed side manner and he made another appointment to follow up in 3 months.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/13/2026
Dr. Cheskin is the best! He always does what is best for you.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/12/2026
Dr. Cheskin is kind, patient, & extremely knowledgeable..i honestly wish he was my PCP
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/29/2026
Dr Cheskin is an excellent provider! I am fortunate to have him as my physician.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2026
Totally AWESOME! I understand why I was wait listed a bit over 6 months! Worth the wait!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/15/2026
Best of the best!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/15/2026
Delightful, brilliant, a doctor's doctor
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/8/2026
This was a video visit, Dr Lawrence is very knowledgeable and patient he listens to all my concerns and advice accordingly
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/2/2026
Dr. Cheskin is very caring and encouraging regarding weight reduction. He is willing to let a patient travel the longest route to meet their destination if nervous about weight loss injection medication. Without remarks that may embarrass the patient.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/2/2026
Excellent in all ways
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/2/2026
Dr Cheskin is best Dr ever, privileged to be in his care
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2025
Dr Cheskin helped me years ago and I am excited that I see my future being able to be healthy and happier!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/18/2025
Dr Cheskin has been my physician for many years now. His guidance and follow-up has been instrumental in the success that I have achieved in weight loss and healthy eating. Great doctor and I have referred others to him as well.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/5/2025
Larry Cheskin is great; he listens and does not dismiss me and my health concerns because I am a woman.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/5/2025
He's the best!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/4/2025
Excellent provider
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/21/2025
He is the best
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/21/2025
Dr. Larry is the best - a good listener, encouraging and outstanding support for the process of change.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/30/2025
Dr Cheskin is extremely patient and caring. I wish I had met him years ago
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/24/2025
Dr Cheskin is very supportive, easy to talk to and willing to work with my wishes for the type of treatment
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/23/2025
Listens and is very understanding
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/17/2025
Clear, concise, caring and helping guide me to improved overall weight and health.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/3/2025
Very good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/19/2025
Great communicator with great knowledge
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/19/2025
Dr. Cheskin is so kind, caring and professional. Not many around like him anymore
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/29/2025
Dr. Cheskin is awesome
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/21/2025
Excellent Provider.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/15/2025
Dr. Cheskin is very good with check ups, directions, future care, medication, explanations, and making you feel great about yourself and boosting yourself esteem.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/8/2025
Very professional, listen intently to my concerns, gave clear information and feedback, was very pleasant to talk to
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/7/2025
Well educated
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/19/2025
He did his job really well and was really sweet
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/6/2025
Love him. Very understanding and compassionate
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/5/2025
Dr Cheskin is a kind and supportive doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/25/2025
It was a pleasure meeting Dr Cheskin. He was very kind and understanding. He seemed to really listen and genuinely wants to help.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/24/2025
Such a kind physician. Takes the time to listen to you. Makes it easy to ask questions.