Lifestyle and Weight Loss For Teens

Are you wondering if exercise can help hunger hormones in teens? 

How much cardio is really enough for teenagers? 

Can too much cardio mess with puberty hormones? In this episode, I break down:

• What the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 
• The difference between moderate and vigorous activity 
• How cardio impacts hormones like leptin and insulin 
• Creative ideas to help your teen move more — even if they hate the gym 
• How overtrai...

It’s one of the most common—and least talked about—questions I get from teenage boys and their parents.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the real science behind penis size, puberty, and weight gain. You’ll learn the difference between a buried penis (when fat tissue hides the penis) and a truly small penis, and why many boys worry unnecessarily during puberty.

I also explain:

• When penis size actually changes (hint: it doesn’t be...

In this week’s episode I break it all down:

💉 Which injections are FDA-approved for teens

📊 What the research actually shows (hint: 70% of teens saw results—but lifestyle mattered too)

⚠️ Common side effects you need to know

⏳ And what happens when you stop taking the medication

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach.
After helping hundreds of teens strugg...

In this episode, I’m answering a question I hear all the time from teens and their parents: Are weight loss pills safe for a 14-year-old? 

I explain the difference between prescription medications and over-the-counter pills, what the risks are, and why healthy habits matter most. 

If you’ve been wondering about weight loss medications for teens, I break it all down for you in simple, clear language.

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric en...

In this episode of Lifestyle and Weight Loss for Teens, I’m answering one of the most common questions I hear: “How much weight can I lose in a week or in a month?”

The answer might surprise you! I’m breaking down what the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for healthy weight loss in teens, why fast weight loss can actually hurt your metabolism, and how small, consistent changes can lead to long-term success. I’ll also share ...

In this episode, I’m talking about something we don’t talk about enough—how food affects your mood. Teenagers often struggle with stress, low energy, and feeling down. But did you know that what you eat can play a big role in how your brain functions?

I break down 5 powerful ways that food affects mental health, share key nutrients like folate, magnesium, and omega-3s that help your brain, and explain what foods to eat more of (and ...

In this episode, I answer a question I get all the time from teens I work with: “Are carbs bad if I’m trying to lose weight?”

The short answer? No, carbs are not the enemy!
In fact, your body needs carbs—especially during puberty—to grow, to have energy, and to keep your hormones balanced.

I’ll walk you through:

• The difference between whole food carbs and processed carbs
• Why cutting carbs too much can actually hurt your health
• ...

Smoothies are popular—but are they actually helpful for teens trying to reach a healthy weight?

In this episode, I share:

• What makes a smoothie healthy (and what doesn’t!)
• Research showing how smoothies boosted teen fruit intake from 4% to 45%
• The perfect formula for a smoothie that keeps teens full and balanced
• How to sneak veggies into smoothies without the “yuck” factor

Plus, I’m giving you a free gift 🎁
 👉 Download my ...

In this episode ,I  breaks down the science behind active video games. 

Learn how movement-based games can support teen’s journey to a healthier weight—and what really matters for long-term success.

Research mentioned in this episode: 

Comeras-Chueca C, Marin-Puyalto J, Matute-Llorente A, Vicente-Rodriguez G, Casajus J, Gonzalez-Aguero A

Effects of Active Video Games on Health-Related Physical Fitness and Motor Competence in Children a...

In today’s episode i break down what ultra-processed foods are—and why they matter more than you think. I reviews a  2025 study from Pediatric Obesity that shows a strong link between ultra-processed food intake and increased belly fat, higher BMI, and hormonal imbalances in teens.

You’ll learn:

• What counts as ultra-processed food (hint: it’s more common than you think!)
• Why even “healthy-looking” snacks like protein bars can lead...

In this episode I discuss the impact of excessive weight on liver function in teenagers. I talk about liver inflammation and potential liver problems. 

A recent study  linked excessive screen time with increased risk of liver fibrosis in adolescents. 

Tune in to learn more and dont forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter at https://lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesi...

In this episode, I talk about the science behind water and weight loss. I’m sharing  a  study that analyzed 13 different research papers and found that teens who drink more water tend to maintain a healthier weight over time.

🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ How drinking more water can help reduce calorie intake without effort
✔️ Why we sometimes mistake thirst for hunger and how to fix it
✔️ How proper hydrat...

In this episode, I discuss about  body image issues faced by teenagers, sparked by a teen's story involving concerns over exercise due to body shame. There are physical and emotional changes during puberty that contribute to body image problems. 

 Self-compassion and acceptance,rather than the weight itself, influences body image. 

I present some practical tips for promoting self-love and strategies for building self-love. 

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This podcast episode explores the relationship between sleep duration and insulin resistance in teenagers, building on previous discussions about insulin resistance during puberty.

 It highlights the importance of teenagers getting the recommended 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night and presents statistics showing that 70-80% of U.S. teenagers fail to meet this requirement. 

Two key studies are discussed: one showing that advanced pube...

In this episode I focus on the hormone insulin and its significant role in regulating blood sugar levels and weight. I explain how insulin resistance can develop due to high carbohydrate intake and excess weight gain, leading to potential diabetes. I also discuss the body's insulin response variations with different body shapes and I emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes...

What Happens During Puberty?

Puberty is a time when teenagers go through a lot of changes in their bodies and inside because of big hormonal shifts.

Listen to Understand Puberty: External and Internal Changes

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach.
After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most ...

In this episode, I talk about boredom eating in teenagers and ways to stop it.

I explain the role of hormone dopamine in beating boredom with food. 

I teach teens how to identify true hunger versus boredom. 

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach.
After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path ...

In this episode, I discuss how many calories teenagers need based on their activity levels. I provide general guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

I emphasize choosing healthy foods over strict calorie counting and explain the ideal breakdown of carbs, fats, and proteins. I also advise caution with restrictive diets like keto for teens. 

Parents are urged to c...

In this podcast episode I answer common questions about protein requirements for teenagers, detailing recommended intake based on age and activity level as per the American Academy of Pediatrics. I discuss various protein sources, favoring whole foods over protein powders, and highlights the importance of protein for growth, muscle development, hormone production, and satiety. 

Learn how to calculate your protein needs and...