Lifestyle and Weight Loss For Teens

A friend of mine, who's also a doctor, called me about a patient: a patient she's trying to help reach a healthier weight. Her question was simple. "Should I put them on a glucose monitor? They do not have diabetes, they just want to lose weight". If you've seen these little sensors all over your feed, you've probably wondered the same thing. So in this episode I give...

"Just eat less and move more." If I had a dollar for every time a teenager or parent told me they received this advice, I could fund a research study. It sounds logical. It works for some adults in some situations. But for teenagers dealing with insulin resistance, prediabetes, PCOS, or weight struggles during puberty, this advice is not just unhelpful. It misses the point entirely. In t...

"He will grow out of it." "Let's just keep an eye on it." "He is a teenager, this is normal." I hear these phrases from families all the time. And I completely understand why. Waiting feels reasonable. But when it comes to prediabetes in teenagers, the wait and see approach is not always the right one. And today I want to explain exactly why, using data from a ma...

A normal A1C result feels like good news. And I completely understand why parents feel relieved when they hear it. But as a pediatric endocrinologist, this is one of the biggest misunderstandings I see in families, and I want to clear it up today. In this episode I explain what A1C actually measures, why it misses early insulin resistance in teenagers, and the other lab values and physical signs t...

Everyone is talking about Ozempic, Wegovy, and GLP-1 weight loss medications for teenagers. But there is one critical piece of information that almost nobody is discussing. And as a pediatric endocrinologist who prescribes these medications regularly, I think every parent and teenager considering them needs to hear it. In this episode, I am breaking down what the clinical trials actually showed, w...

In this episode you'll learn: • What the American Academy of Pediatrics actually says about low-carb and ketogenic diets for teens  • Why keto can work in adults but carries different risks in growing teen bodies  • The psychological risk no one is talking about  • Why "what should we add?" is a smarter question than "what should we cut?"  • The 4 simple changes that impro...

Are the foods your teen eats every day actually helping their metabolism… or keeping insulin high all day long? I go over 7 foods that are commonly marketed as “healthy” for teens — but may contain hidden sugars that contribute to cravings, fatigue, increased hunger, and weight gain over time. You’ll learn:  Which foods may not be as healthy as you thought  Simple swaps that support healthier horm...

If diabetes runs in your family and you're watching your teenager's health with a quiet sense of worry — you're not being paranoid. You're paying attention. And you're already ahead of most parents who don't ask questions until a doctor forces the conversation. In this episode, Dr. Jenny Gourgari breaks down something most families never hear: there are specific metab...

If your daughter was just diagnosed with PCOS and handed a birth control prescription — this episode is for you. Birth control isn't wrong. It's actually the first-line treatment for managing irregular periods in teens with PCOS, and Dr. Jenny Gourgari wants to be clear: if your doctor recommended it, use it. But here's what most parents don't hear in that appointment — birth c...

Metabolic dysfunction in teenagers is subtle. It's slow-moving. And it rarely announces itself with obvious symptoms, which means it's easy to miss until things have already been developing quietly for years. In this episode, Dr. Jenny Gourgari, board-certified pediatric endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist, walks you through five specific signs that may indicate your teen is...

Did you know that nearly 1 in 3 teenagers in the United States has prediabetes? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Jenny Gourgari breaks down the root cause of prediabetes — in both adults and teenagers — and explains why adolescents face a unique and compounded risk during puberty. Dr. Gourgari walks us through the science in plain, accessible language: what happens in your body when you eat sugar,...

Did you know that up to 36% of teenagers may have prediabetes — that's 1 in 3 teens? In this episode, Dr. Jenny breaks down everything parents need to know about prediabetes in adolescents, including what it actually is, how it's measured, and — most importantly — why it's still reversible. In this episode, you'll learn: The difference between prediabetes and diabetes (and the...

Could 35 grams of protein at breakfast be the secret to helping your teen stop gaining fat and feel full longer? In this episode, Dr. Jenny breaks down a real study done in teenagers — and shares exactly how to make high-protein breakfasts work for busy, picky, or breakfast-skipping teens. No perfection required. I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a...

In this episode, Dr. Jenny Gourgari discusses how learning to read food labels can help teenagers make healthier food choices. While fresh foods without labels are always the healthiest option, packaged foods are a reality of modern life. Understanding nutrition labels can help teens compare foods, reduce hidden sugar intake, and choose options that support better energy and metabolism. I’m Dr. Je...

A research study followed nearly 2,000 children for more than 36 years to understand how childhood weight affects future health. In this episode, Dr. Jenny Gourgari explains: • What the new research discovered  • Why puberty is a critical window for metabolic health  • The difference between being healthy today and protecting future health  • Two simple habits that can reduce long-term risk This e...

Many parents notice  darkening of the skin around their teen’s neck and assume it is dirt or poor hygiene. But what if it is actually a medical sign from the body? While it may seem like a cosmetic issue, this skin change can be an early warning sign that the body is producing too much insulin, which may increase the risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes later in life. The good news is that thi...

You’ll learn: Why one bad food experience can shape food beliefs for years How cooking together increases vegetable intake What science says about repeated exposure and taste development Simple ways to help teens reach 5–6 servings a day without pressure This episode is for parents and teens who want practical, realistic strategies that actually work. I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologi...

New Year’s resolutions sound motivating — until they turn into frustration. In this episode, I talk about why the all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for teenagers , especially during puberty, when hormones, sleep needs, school stress, and social pressure are already high. I share a simple, realistic way for teens to plan healthy habits over the year , one habit at a time — without diets, restric...

In this episode of the Lifestyle and Weight Loss for Teens Podcast , I talk about snacking habits in teenagers and how they relate to weight gain. Many teens snack multiple times a day—but is snacking actually the problem? I break down a large research study of over 2,700 adolescents that shows it’s not the number of snacks that matters most—it’s the type of snacks and how teens eat them. We talk...

In this episode, I explain:  Why school lunches can be a turning point for weight gain in teens What a major JAMA Pediatrics study found about improved school meal standards How small changes in the school food environment can led to improvements in BMI for more than 14,000 kids aged 5–18 Simple ways parents and teens can team up around school lunches: Talking about cafeteria choices Packing balan...

In this episode of The Lifestyle and Weight Loss for Teens Podcast , Dr. Jenny Gourgari answers one of the most common questions from parents:  “Will my teen slim down after puberty?”   Learn why some weight gain is expected, how to spot when it’s a red flag, and what habits truly help teens reach a healthy weight before adulthood.  Backed by research and filled with practical advice, this episode...

Can tracking your steps really help you reach a healthier weight? In this episode, Dr. Jenny Gourgari breaks down the science behind step goals for teens. She shares a major study that pinpoints the magic number for teens: 10,000–12,000 steps a day. You’ll also learn 10 creative ways to reach your daily step goal. This episode is a must-listen for any teen or parent who wants to build healthy habi...

In this episode, Dr. Jenny Gourgari dives into five common myths about belly fat in teenagers—from sit-ups and detox teas to the truth about carbs and hormones.  Discover what actually works to reduce belly fat safely and naturally during puberty.  Perfect for teens and parents who want real answers, not quick fixes. I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine a...

In this episode, I share 10 simple but powerful ways for teens to stay motivated while building healthy habits.  From morning routines and accountability to small rewards and positive self-talk, you’ll learn exactly how to keep going—even when it’s hard. I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach.  After helping hundreds of teens struggling w...

What should you do if your family keeps bringing home pizza, chips, and soda while you’re trying to eat healthier? In this episode, Dr. Jenny Gourgari shares 10 real-life strategies that teens can use to stay on track—even if their family isn’t on the same page (yet). ✅ How to start a supportive family conversation  ✅ Grocery shopping swaps that work  ✅ How to create a healthy snack station jus...