Episode 138: Liberate Teens from Obesity Beyond Medications with Dr. Evgenia (Jenny) Gourgari, MD, MS, PhD

Did you know that one in five children in the US struggles with obesity? With obesity putting them at risk for serious health issues, including high blood pressure and diabetes, it's crucial to discuss how we can help teens lead healthier lives. In this episode, Dr. Evgenia (Jenny) Gourgari, MD, MS, PhD, a pediatric endocrinologist, reflects on her own struggles with weight as a teenager and how it shaped her career path. She emphasizes the importance of addressing teenage obesity not just from a medical standpoint, but also considering the individual's motivations and goals. Dr. Evgenia advocates for lifestyle changes over medication, highlighting the significance of sustainable habits like nutrition, physical activity, adequate sleep, and emotional well-being.  Rather than endorsing short-term diets, she encourages adolescents to adopt long-lasting dietary patterns they can maintain for years, gradually building up healthy habits and finding enjoyment in physical activity to achieve lasting results. Break teens' obesity by living a healthy lifestyle beyond medications. Let's create healthier futures, step by step, by building positive habits. Listen now!   Episode Highlights: Background of Dr. Evgenia About the increasing prevalence of pediatric obesity and its impact on children's lives Strategies for parents to approach their teenagers about living a healthier lifestyle Various lifestyle changes, including nutrition, physical activity, screen time, sleep, and stress management Importance of sustainable habits and gradual habit-building for long-term health   Connect with Dr. Evgenia Gourgari: Facebook | Lifestyle for teens Instagram | @drjennygo LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/drgourgari   About Dr. Evgenia Gourgari: Dr. Evgenia (Jenny) Gourgari, MD, MS, PhD, is an accomplished pediatric endocrinologist with a dedicated focus on pediatric obesity. Dr. Gourgari completed her residency in Pediatrics at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, Florida in 2010, followed by a Pediatric Endocrinology fellowship at the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Gourgari holds a Master of Science degree from Georgetown University and a PhD from University of Athens, Greece. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in both Pediatrics and Pediatric Endocrinology, with an additional certification in Obesity Medicine. Her passion to address pediatric obesity lead her to become also a certified Health Coach and start the "Lifestyle and Weight Loss for Teens Podcast", hoping to educate as many families as possible with evidence-based information in topics related to healthy lifestyle and pediatric obesity. Dr. Gourgari has been actively involved in helping children who have hormonal problems for more than 15 years. Her expertise is recognized through numerous awards and publications in academic journals. Dr. Gourgari is an engaged member of professional organizations, such as the Obesity Medicine Association and the Pediatric Endocrine Society. Her extensive experience, scholarly contributions, and commitment to advancing the field of pediatric endocrinology and obesity make her a respected figure in the field.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click