Lifestyle and Weight Loss For Teens

Dr Jenny Gourgari, Pediatric Endocrinologist and Obesity Medicine Diplomate
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Nutrition
  • Updated Weekly

Is your teen showing early signs of insulin resistance and prediabetes, gaining weight too quickly and is always hungry? Before you try another diet or cut another food group — you need to hear this.Teen weight gain is rarely about willpower. During puberty, hormones like insulin, cortisol, and estrogen directly drive how your teen stores fat, feels hungry, and burns energy. If no one has explained that to you yet, this podcast is where that changes. Lifestyle for Teens with Dr. Jenny is built on one belief: No Diets. No Shame. Just Hormones That Work. Dr. Jenny Gourgari is a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist — and she knows this journey personally. She spent her own teenage years struggling with weight and chronic dieting before understanding that hormones, not habits, were driving the cycle. Now she helps parents and teens do what she wished someone had helped her do sooner. HIT "FOLLOW" the podcast to never miss an episode!VISIT MY WEBSITE:https://lifestyleforteens.com?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=homepageGET FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOUR TEEN:https://lifestyleforteens.com/free-resources/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=free_resourcesSUBSCRIBE TO MY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://members.lifestyleforteens.com/f/subscribe-for-weekly-resources?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=newsletterSTART REVERSING INSULIN RESISTANCE TODAY:https://lifestyleforteens.com/reset?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=mini_lift

  1. 1h ago

    Ep. 103 Why "Eat Less, Move More" Is the Wrong Advice for Teenagers With Insulin Resistance

    "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 this episode, I am sharing three specific reasons why the eat less, move more approach fails teenagers, and what actually works instead. And I am being personal about it too, because I was that teenager. I tried the tomato diet at 11 years old. I hated PE. I was always last in line when the teacher asked us to run. So I know this from the inside, not just from the clinic. 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 programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    12 min

  2. Jun 3

    Ep. 102 Teen Prediabetes: Why "Keep an Eye on It" Is Riskier Than You Think

    "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 major NIH research study that changed how I think about this. Because here is the thing most parents and even many doctors do not realise. Prediabetes in a teenager is not the same condition as prediabetes in an adult. The biology is different. The progression is different. And the window to reverse it is real, but it is not unlimited. 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 programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    14 min

  3. May 27

    Ep. 101 Your Teen's A1C Came Back Normal. But That Does Not Mean Their Metabolic Health Is Fine.

    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 that pediatric endocrinologists look for when they want to catch metabolic problems before they become prediabetes or diabetes. Do you worry your teen is gaining weight quickly or seems hungry all the time? Are you afraid this could lead to prediabetes or diabetes later in life? That’s why I created the “Healthy Weight Starts with Healthy Habits": A 7-Day Hormone Reset Program for Teens. ONLY $25 - Learn more here ! 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 programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter 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 programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    11 min

  4. May 20

    Ep. 100 Before Your Teen Takes Ozempic or Wegovy, Listen to This

    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, what the numbers really mean, and what happened to the teenagers in those studies who did not take the medication at all. Because the answer might genuinely surprise you. What you will learn in this episode: How GLP-1 clinical trials actually work, and why the results are more nuanced than headlines suggest What percentage of teenagers achieved meaningful weight loss with Wegovy and semaglutide  What percentage achieved the same meaningful weight loss without any medication at all (and this number is important) Why all GLP-1 trials were conducted alongside intensive lifestyle modification programs, and what that means for real-world results The minimum contact support that research shows is needed for lifestyle modification to be effective Why teenagers who had previously failed lifestyle modification achieved results when placed in a structured, supervised program for a full year The muscle mass side effect of GLP-1 medications and what reduces it significantly What happens to weight when GLP-1 medications are stopped, and why lifestyle change cannot be taken away. Do you worry your teen is gaining weight quickly or seems hungry all the time? Are you afraid this could lead to prediabetes or diabetes later in life? That’s why I created the “Healthy Weight Starts with Healthy Habits": A 7-Day Hormone Reset Program for Teens. ONLY $25 - Learn more here ! 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 programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter 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 programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    13 min

  5. May 13

    Ep. 99 Is Keto Diet Safe For Teens?

    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 improve insulin sensitivity without ever putting a teen on a restrictive diet By the end, you'll know exactly how to think about this — and what to do instead. 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 programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    17 min

  6. May 6

    Ep. 98 . 7 Foods Teens Think Are “Healthy" But Are Not

    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 hormones and metabolismI’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 programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    16 min

  7. Apr 28

    Ep. 97. What Labs to Ask For Your Teen If Diabetes Runs In Your Family

    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 metabolic tests officially recommended for teenagers at elevated risk for diabetes — and most families don't know to ask for them. If your teen has a family history of diabetes, carries extra weight, shows signs of insulin resistance, or is in the middle of puberty (which itself causes a 30% drop in insulin sensitivity — yes, really), this episode is essential listening. Dr. Jenny walks you through every test, every number, and exactly what to say at your teen's next doctor's appointment — so you walk in informed, prepared, and ready to advocate for your child. In this episode you'll learn: Why family history of diabetes is a clinical risk factor — not just background informationHow insulin resistance builds quietly for years before blood sugar ever looks abnormalWhy puberty itself puts teens with family history at significantly higher riskThe exact criteria that qualify a teenager for metabolic screeningThe three tests to ask for — fasting glucose, Hemoglobin A1C, and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) — and what every number meansWhat to do if results come back in the prediabetes rangeThree lifestyle changes you can start this week — sleep, food quality, and movement — with specific, doable stepsThis isn't about fear. It's about catching something early enough to actually do something about it. Prediabetes is reversible — but only if you know it's there. By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly what to ask for, what the numbers mean, and how to start changing the trajectory for your teenager — one small step at a time. 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 programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    15 min

  8. Apr 22

    Ep. 96 PCOS in Teens: The Missing Link No One Explains

    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 control manages the symptom. It doesn't address the reason her hormones became dysregulated in the first place. In this episode, Dr. Jenny breaks down the missing link that rarely gets discussed: insulin resistance. In many teenage girls with PCOS, insulin resistance is the underlying driver causing the ovaries to produce excess androgens, disrupting the hormonal cycle, and leading to irregular or missing periods. And the powerful truth is — when you address insulin resistance, you can improve the hormonal picture in ways that matter for the rest of your daughter's life. Dr. Jenny also addresses something most doctors skip entirely: the emotional weight of this diagnosis. Teens with PCOS are nearly four times more likely to experience eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. The approach that works isn't about restriction — it's about supporting girls to build a lifestyle that works with their biology, not against it. In this episode you'll learn: What PCOS actually is, and why the name is misleadingThe direct connection between insulin resistance and irregular periodsWhy birth control treats the symptom but not the root causeHow food, movement, and sleep can restore hormonal balanceWhy restrictive dieting is harmful for girls with PCOS, and what works insteadReal action steps you can take this week for your daughterWhen and how medications like Metformin fit into the pictureWhether your daughter was just diagnosed or has been managing PCOS for years, this episode will give you a clearer picture of what's happening in her body. 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 programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    14 min
See All (103)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Is your teen showing early signs of insulin resistance and prediabetes, gaining weight too quickly and is always hungry? Before you try another diet or cut another food group — you need to hear this.Teen weight gain is rarely about willpower. During puberty, hormones like insulin, cortisol, and estrogen directly drive how your teen stores fat, feels hungry, and burns energy. If no one has explained that to you yet, this podcast is where that changes. Lifestyle for Teens with Dr. Jenny is built on one belief: No Diets. No Shame. Just Hormones That Work. Dr. Jenny Gourgari is a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist — and she knows this journey personally. She spent her own teenage years struggling with weight and chronic dieting before understanding that hormones, not habits, were driving the cycle. Now she helps parents and teens do what she wished someone had helped her do sooner. HIT "FOLLOW" the podcast to never miss an episode!VISIT MY WEBSITE:https://lifestyleforteens.com?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=homepageGET FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOUR TEEN:https://lifestyleforteens.com/free-resources/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=free_resourcesSUBSCRIBE TO MY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://members.lifestyleforteens.com/f/subscribe-for-weekly-resources?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=newsletterSTART REVERSING INSULIN RESISTANCE TODAY:https://lifestyleforteens.com/reset?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=mini_lift

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Jenny Gourgari, Pediatric Endocrinologist and Obesity Medicine Diplomate
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lifestyle and Weight Loss For Teens
  • Show Website
    Lifestyle and Weight Loss For Teens