Episode 13: Adolescent Medicine 101: What Parents and Clinicians Need to Know with Dr. Risa Fridy (Part 1)

<p><strong>What exactly is adolescent medicine—and when should a teen see an adolescent medicine specialist instead of their pediatrician?</strong></p><p>In this episode of <strong>Eat Kale &amp; Cupcakes</strong>, Laura Cipullo and Shannon Herbert sit down with <strong>Dr. Risa Fridy</strong>, an adolescent medicine physician, to unpack this often-overlooked specialty and why it can make a profound difference during one of life&#39;s most complex developmental stages.</p><p>From eating disorders and mental health to puberty, chronic illness, gender-affirming care, reproductive health, and navigating social media, adolescent medicine takes a whole-person approach to caring for teens and young adults.</p><p>Dr. Fridy explains how adolescent medicine differs from traditional pediatrics, shares real-world clinical examples, and discusses why having time to truly listen to adolescents—and their families—is essential for providing effective, compassionate care.</p><p><strong>In this episode, we discuss:</strong></p><ul><li>What adolescent medicine is and why the specialty exists</li><li>How adolescent medicine differs from general pediatrics</li><li>When parents should consider an adolescent medicine consultation</li><li>Common reasons adolescents are referred to specialists</li><li>The importance of holistic, multidisciplinary care</li><li>Early and subtle signs of eating disorders </li><li>The role social media plays in body image, self-esteem, and adolescent health</li><li>Practical advice for parents, clinicians, and caregivers supporting adolescents</li></ul><p><strong>This episode is for:</strong></p><ul><li>Parents and caregivers of tweens, teens, and young adults</li><li>Pediatricians and primary care providers</li><li>Registered dietitians</li><li>Mental health professionals</li><li>School counselors and educators</li><li>Anyone interested in adolescent health, eating disorders, or preventive care</li></ul><p><strong>About Dr. Fridy</strong></p><p>Dr. Risa Fridy is an adolescent and young adult medicine physician in New York City. Dr. Fridy graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University and earned her medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College (formerly Jefferson Medical College) in her hometown of Philadelphia. She completed her residency in Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was the recipient of the Resident Advocacy Award, followed by a three-year fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at the Children’