Kids, Body Image, GLP-1s, and Disordered Eating: What a Pediatrician Wants You to Know with Dr. Lauren Hartman

Abbie is joined by adolescent medicine specialist Dr. Lauren Hartman to talk about what it really means to care for kids in a culture obsessed with shrinking them.

They explore the rise in eating disorders among younger children, the sneaky evolution of diet culture into “wellness,” and the complicated, high-stakes reality of GLP-1 medications in adolescence. At its heart, this conversation is about protecting kids from shame — and helping parents trust their instincts.

In this episode, we discuss:

* What adolescent medicine actually is — and why ages 10–25 (and even younger) require specialized, developmentally informed care

* The moment that shifted Lauren away from weight-centric medicine

* Why disordered eating is on the rise in young kids

* How diet culture has become more insidious under the branding of “health,” “wellness,” and “longevity”

* Early red flags parents can look for

* The impact of social media on both girls and boys — from protein obsession to muscle dysmorphia

* What happens when doctors dismiss parental concerns because a child’s BMI is “normal”

* A nuanced conversation about GLP-1 medications in adolescents

* How to repair harm — whether you’re a parent, provider, or educator

This is a conversation about growth — literal and emotional. About letting kids develop in bodies that are allowed to change. And about building systems of care that prioritize safety over stigma.

Dr. Hartman's book: https://www.aspengroveayam.com/copy-of-presentations-publications

Dr. Hartman is double board certified in Adolescent Medicine and Pediatrics. She is known for her patient-centered approach, and has dedicated her career to supporting teens, young adults, and their loved ones as they navigate adolescence.  She aims to focus on the strengths in every patient and nurture a sense of hope to help support them to live their most fulfilling and healthy lives.  

She has held numerous leadership positions, including the chair of adolescent medicine at Kaiser Permanente for Northern California, the director of the pediatric eating disorder program in the East Bay, and served as the West Coast Medical Director at Equip.  She also helped create programs and held leadership positions in multidisciplinary programs for gender expansive youth and pediatric autonomic disorders.

With more than a decade of dedicated practice, she has honed her skills in the specialized field of adolescent medicine, particularly in the realm of eating disorders in the hospital, outpatient and virtual settings. 

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Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy

Podcast Editing by Brian Walters

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