Expert Q&A for How to Lose Weight As a Teenager

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What's the best diet for a teenager?

Pouya Shafipour, MD, MS
Weight Loss Specialist
Dr. Pouya Shafipour is a Family Medicine Specialist, Primary Care Physician, and a Weight Loss Specialist based in Santa Monica, California. Dr. Shafipour specializes in dietary, nutritional, behavioral, and exercise counseling to manage obesity and medical conditions related to excessive weight gain or loss. Dr. Shafipour received a BS in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, an MS in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University, and an MD from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He completed his internship in general surgery at UC Irvine and a residency in family medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and became board certified in family medicine in 2008.

Pouya Shafipour, MD, MS

Weight Loss Specialist

Expert Answer

No fad diet is the best! Fad diets are common among teenagers but a lot of them are dangerous in the short term and ineffective in the long term. Instead, focus on healthy eating habits, and maintain your physical and mental health with exercise.

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Question

Why does my daughter constantly want to lose weight?

Pouya Shafipour, MD, MS
Weight Loss Specialist
Dr. Pouya Shafipour is a Family Medicine Specialist, Primary Care Physician, and a Weight Loss Specialist based in Santa Monica, California. Dr. Shafipour specializes in dietary, nutritional, behavioral, and exercise counseling to manage obesity and medical conditions related to excessive weight gain or loss. Dr. Shafipour received a BS in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, an MS in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University, and an MD from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He completed his internship in general surgery at UC Irvine and a residency in family medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and became board certified in family medicine in 2008.

Pouya Shafipour, MD, MS

Weight Loss Specialist

Expert Answer

With teenagers, body image and eating disorders plays a big role in the way they perceive themselves. Since they are growing, you have to make sure that they maintain a healthy diet. Talk to them about peer pressure and mental health, and get them professional health if your daughter needs it. In this age, the focus is not necessarily on weight loss, but on healthy eating, picking quality foods, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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Question

What are the worst foods for a teenager?

Pouya Shafipour, MD, MS
Weight Loss Specialist
Dr. Pouya Shafipour is a Family Medicine Specialist, Primary Care Physician, and a Weight Loss Specialist based in Santa Monica, California. Dr. Shafipour specializes in dietary, nutritional, behavioral, and exercise counseling to manage obesity and medical conditions related to excessive weight gain or loss. Dr. Shafipour received a BS in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, an MS in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University, and an MD from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He completed his internship in general surgery at UC Irvine and a residency in family medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and became board certified in family medicine in 2008.

Pouya Shafipour, MD, MS

Weight Loss Specialist

Expert Answer

Junk food and soda are obviously bad. Beyond that, try to stay away from refined sugars, simple carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats.

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Question

Is it okay for a teen to lose weight?

Pouya Shafipour, MD, MS
Weight Loss Specialist
Dr. Pouya Shafipour is a Family Medicine Specialist, Primary Care Physician, and a Weight Loss Specialist based in Santa Monica, California. Dr. Shafipour specializes in dietary, nutritional, behavioral, and exercise counseling to manage obesity and medical conditions related to excessive weight gain or loss. Dr. Shafipour received a BS in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, an MS in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University, and an MD from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He completed his internship in general surgery at UC Irvine and a residency in family medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and became board certified in family medicine in 2008.

Pouya Shafipour, MD, MS

Weight Loss Specialist

Expert Answer

Check with your doctor to make sure you need to lose weight. It's good to lose weight if you're carrying extra body weight, but it may not be a good idea to lose weight if you're already at a normal weight.

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