In this episode, we speak with Dr. Shanna Garza, the Clinic Director at Girls to Women and Young Men’s Health and Wellness, a specialized Adolescent Medicine center located in McKinney, Texas.
Dr. Garza earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Emory University and pursued her medical education at Baylor College of Medicine. After completing her studies, she underwent a Family Medicine residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. With over 13 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults, she is a board-certified Family Medicine physician.
Her clinics frequently address eating disorders, a significant health concern among young individuals. Dr. Garza emphasizes the heavy societal influences that shape how young people, particularly girls, perceive and evaluate themselves. A constant fixation on food, body weight, and physique can indicate the presence of an eating disorder.
What dangers does dieting pose for young individuals? How do eating disorders differ from general disordered eating? In what ways do social media, discussions about dieting, and body shaming contribute to the rise of eating disorders?
Dr. Garza provides crucial guidance for parents on how to assist their children in navigating this perilous and potentially life-threatening health issue.
