Ever wondered why teenagers seem perpetually hungry despite having high levels of the "thin" hormone leptin? Discover the complex interplay between hormones and appetite during puberty in today's episode of the Lifestyle and Weight Loss for Teens podcast. I talk about the thin hormone "leptin"—its role in signaling fullness, how its levels fluctuate differently in boys and girls during puberty, and the curious phenomenon of leptin resistance that leaves many teens struggling with increased ap...

As a mother, I know how tempting it is to let your teenager catch up on sleep over the weekend, but I've learned through research that this habit may be influencing their eating behaviors in ways we never expected. Tune in to learn more about the complex relationship between poor sleep, hormonal changes, and cravings that challenge the common notion of 'catching up' on sleep.Associations ofWeekday and Weekend Sleep with Children’s Reported Eating in the Absence of Hunger. Nutrients 2019...

Ever wonder if teenage habits can shape adult health? That family debate about whether marijuana contributes to weight issues just got a whole lot more interesting. Tune in to learn more about the findings of a pivotal study published in the Addict Behavior Journal, which tracked over 5,000 adolescents into early adulthood. Association between Adolescent Substance Use and Obesity in Young Adulthood: A Group-based Dual Trajectory AnalysisDavid Y.C. Huanga, H. Isabella Lanzab, and M. Douglas An...

Are school lunches helping your teen's health journey? Join me as I discuss more the impact of a la carte menus and vending machines on adolescent eating habits. The Association of the School Food Environment With Dietary Behaviors of Young Adolescents, American Journal of Public Health | July 2003, Vol 93, No. 7Dr Gourgari is a pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine expert and weight loss coach for teens with more than 15 years of experience. She helps...

I hope every teen girl out there can listen to this episode and learn to love their body.By exploring the science behind the hormonal shifts of puberty, we can empower our teens with the power of knowledge and understanding. Let's foster a healthy mindset toward these expected changes of puberty and find inner peace by accepting the diversity of our bodies. Dr Gourgari is a pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine expert and weight loss coach for teens with mor...

Is it normal for a 15 year old to have PCOS?In this episode I talk about insulin resistance and the impact of weight loss on menstrual regularity in teenage girls with PCOS. Ornstein RM, Copperman NM, Jacobson MS. Effect of weight loss on menstrual function in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2011 Jun;24(3):161-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2011.01.002. Epub 2011 Mar 21. PMID: 21419674.Dr Gourgari is a pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicin...

Can children may become insulin resistant ? How early does this occur and what can we do to prevent this? How do you fix insulin resistance in children?Manuscript presented: Jeffery AN, Metcalf BS, Hosking J, Streeter AJ, Voss LD, Wilkin TJ. Age before stage: insulin resistance rises before the onset of puberty: a 9-year longitudinal study (EarlyBird 26). Diabetes Care. 2012 Mar;35(3):536-41. doi: 10.2337/dc11-1281. Epub 2012 Jan 25. PMID: 22279034; PMCID: PMC3322712.Dr Gourgar...

Could your bowl of breakfast cereal be the hidden culprit in a teen's weight loss struggle? Tune in to learn more about the results of a study comparing oatmeal, cornflakes, and just water for breakfast. Geliebter A, Grillot CL, Aviram-Friedman R, Haq S, Yahav E, Hashim SA. Effects of oatmeal and corn flakes cereal breakfasts on satiety, gastric emptying, glucose, and appetite-related hormones. Ann Nutr Metab. 2015;66(2-3):93-103. doi: 10.1159/000365933. Epub 2015 Jan 23. PMID: 25612907....

Are the weight loss struggles of your teen linked to something deeper than diet and exercise? I explore the complex relationship between insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, abnormal lipid profiles, and how these factors compound the difficulty of achieving a healthy weight during puberty's hormonal turbulence.This episode also brings to light a pivotal study: Bergström E, Hernell O, Persson LA, Vessby B. Insulin resistance syndrome in adolescents. Metabolism. 1996 Jul;45(7):908...

I hear a lot from teens that they want to improve their belly fat. Is this possible? Yes it is!! It is actually a great thing to do, not only so that teens can look more beautiful but also because less belly fat helps decrease the inflammation in the body. In this episode, I talk about research that was done to investigate the above.  Listen to learn more. Title of the manuscript: Visceral fat decreased by long-term interdisciplinary lifestyle therapy correlated positively with...

In the comprehensive Health and Behavior in Teenagers Study (HABITS), valuable insights were gathered from 4,320 students, with an average age of just under 12 years. This research sheds light on an important aspect of our children's lives: how stress influences their eating habits.  Title of manuscript: Stress and Dietary Practices in AdolescentsArticle in Health Psychology · July 2003  Martin Cartwright, Jane Wardle, Naomi Steggles, Alice E. Simon, Helen Croker, and Martin J....

In this episode  I discuss why teenagers decide to get to a healthier weight and how we, as caretakers and supporters, can help maintain that flame of motivation. We're not just talking about health; we're addressing the spectrum of desires from seeking peer acceptance to gearing up for significant life events. Listen to learn the 17 distinct motivations driving teens toward a healthier lifestyle. Details of the research manuscript that gave the answer to this question: Motivations for...

Have you ever wondered why keeping muscle mass is key to a teen's healthy weight loss journey? I'm here to share with you essential insights on how a balanced approach to exercise can safeguard your child's muscle mass as they work to lose those extra pounds. This journey isn't just about outward appearances – it's deeply connected to maintaining hormonal balance and optimal cardiovascular health, essential pillars for lifelong health. In this episode, we dive deep into the significance of...

Could breakfast be the hidden key to your teen's weight management success? Join me, as I uncover the truth behind the science of breakfast and its impact on adolescent weight. Many parents wrestle with their teens over the morning meal, armed with good intentions but lacking clarity on whether enforcing breakfast can actually aid their child's health.  As a dedicated advocate for nurturing healthy habits in young people, I break down the complex relationship between skipping breakfast and...

Could your teen's stubborn weight issues be linked to an underlying thyroid problem? It's a question that many parents have. We're looking beyond the scale and into the science, with insights from a research study that shed light on this topic ,  on how thyroid medication actually affects weight  in children with low thyroid. Dr Gourgari is a pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine expert and weight loss coach for teens with more than 15 years of experience. She helps...

Are your teenagers grabbing for sport and energy drinks as their go-to refreshers?  Before you let them gulp down these beverages, join me as I go over  a clinical report by the American Academy of Pediatrics . It has been archived now but I find the content of this report very helpful.  The views I present here do NOT represent the views of American Academy of Pediatrics.   I clarify the difference between sport and energy drinks. Hydration and a balanced diet are key to adolescent health,...

Imagine the mental weight lifted from the shoulders of our adolescent girls once they realize that they are more than the images they see on the internet.  I present a study conducted in Australia, which sheds light on how constant exposure to the internet and social media fuels teenagers' discontent with their body weight and amplifies their quest for perceived thinness. These platforms promote unrealistic beauty standards and can increase body weight dissatisfaction, primarily due to the...

Are you ready to experience the joy of the holiday season without the guilt of overindulgence?  I used to get sad and stressed out with Holidays season because I always ended up with some extra weight. I learned over the years a few tips and I wanted to share some ideas that might help you enjoy your holidays without the regret. So, let's enjoy our holidays to the fullest, without guilt and sadness. Even if we end up with some extra weight, it is still OK.  Happy Holidays ! Dr Gourgari...

Are we inadvertently fostering eating disorders in teenagers striving for a healthy weight?   I present here a study that followed 97 teenagers aged 14-18 over a year, looking at the impact of a program on their insulin resistance, liver fat percentage, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and eating behaviors.  A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to teen weight loss—one that promotes overall healthy habits and lifestyle changes instead of solely focusing on weight may be the key to...

Looking to understand more the reality behind your child's fast food habits and its impact on their health?  I dive into a research study by Dr. Bowman, assessing the effects of fast food consumption on the energy intake and diet quality among thousands of children.  We'll explore how this fast food frenzy has taken a toll on our children's health, increasing not only their caloric intake but also sabotaging their diet quality by diminishing their consumption of healthier food options. The...

Imagine the profound impact if we could disentangle body satisfaction and self-esteem among our teenagers?  Dr Gourgari presents research that was done to explore the crucial link between body image and self-esteem amongst our youth.  "Body Image and Self-Esteem Among Adolescent Girls: Testing the Influence of Sociocultural Factors. Daniel Clay et al " Dr Gourgari is a pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine expert and weight loss coach for teens with more than 15 years of...

Ever wondered how overall movement, screen time, and sleep contribute to a teenager's overall health? We go over into the 24-hour movement recommendations for kids, drawn from a great study in the Journal of Pediatric Obesity. This episode takes you through the science of these recommendations and sheds light on their relationship with unhealthy weight indicators in young ones. The title of this research manuscript is:  Are 24-hour movement recommendations associated with obesity-related...

What if the very diets teenagers follow to lose weight are the culprits behind weight gain and unhealthy eating habits? We're shaking things up with an in-depth exploration of a groundbreaking study that turns conventional dieting wisdom on its head.  But it's not just about exposing the dark side of teenage dieting. So forget the dieting myths you've heard - we're starting a new conversation about achieving a healthier lifestyle. Dr Gourgari is a pediatric endocrinologist, certified in...

Do you ever wonder if your child's weight could be impacting their mental health? Dr Gourgari presents a fascinating study from Sweden detailing how excess weight can potentially lead to mental health issues in youngsters.    Why does this happen?    If we know why, we can potentially address these underlying factors and help children be in a better mental state.    The title of the research that is presented is "Anxiety and depression in children and adolescents with obesity: a nationwide...