Managing obesity isn’t something anyone should have to do by themselves. Because obesity is a chronic medical condition, people do best when they have a supportive care team walking alongside them every step of the way. Yet many individuals hesitate to reach out for help – especially when challenges arise.
Why Support Matters During Difficult Moments
Everyone experiences ups and downs throughout their treatment journey. As Dr. Megha Poddar explains, “There are going to be time periods where people will struggle…” The challenge, she notes, is that people often don’t receive the same level of support for obesity that they do for other chronic conditions.
She observes, “The difference in obesity as a chronic disease is often, we see that people don’t get the right support when they need it in a way that doesn’t happen with other chronic diseases. If your blood pressure spikes all of a sudden, you’re going in to see your healthcare provider. But if your weight goes up, it’s often this idea of, ‘oh, I must have done something wrong.’ Or shame or blame that actually stops you from coming to seek help…”
But weight regain – or any setback – is not a sign of failure. It’s simply a signal that more support may be needed. Dr. Poddar stresses that when someone experiences weight regain or runs into challenges during treatment, the right response is to reach out to their healthcare provider. Because obesity is a chronic, lifelong condition, she emphasizes that people deserve timely care and guidance – just as they would for any other chronic disease and clinicians have a responsibility to offer that help without judgment.
You’re Not Alone — Even If It Has Felt That Way
Many people come into obesity treatment feeling discouraged or isolated. As pharmacist Khalid Bhatti explains, “Patients going through a weight management journey, I think the biggest thing that they struggle with is knowing what support systems are out there for them. Oftentimes they feel alone. They may have been rejected or dejected by the health care system in the past.”
This is why finding the right care team can be transformational, especially for people who have felt dismissed or unsupported previously. Bhatti highlights that many clinics today take a compassionate, evidence-based approach to obesity care. Instead of simply telling patients to “eat less and move more,” these teams focus on education, personalized guidance, and consistent support. Their mission is to treat obesity as the chronic medical condition it is — and to ensure patients know they have a network of professionals ready to help them along the way.
A Care Team That Treats Obesity Like the Disease It Is
One of the most important messages clinicians want people to understand is that obesity is not a personal failure. It is a medical condition — and one that can be treated effectively with the right tools and support.
Bhatti shares, “The number one thing that I wish people understood about obesity is that it is a chronic disease. It is not the fault of the patient or anything that they’ve done. It’s the same way that heart disease and diabetes is a chronic disease. It is treatable.”
He adds, “You just need to find the right support system for you and know that there is medication. And there’s a ton of different options out there to help you with that journey. And it’s not something that you need to feel that you need to do alone.” For more about the support options available, click here.
The Bottom Line
Your care team is not just a medical resource – they’re a partner in your long-term health. Reaching out for support, especially during difficult times, isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a vital part of treating obesity as the chronic condition it is. With the right team behind you, staying on treatment becomes easier, more sustainable, and far more successful.
Diet and exercise alone aren’t enough to help many people reach a healthier weight. Medical treatments are needed to address the biological changes happening in our bodies that can drive weight regain. To find a physician near you who specializes in weight management, click here.
This article was sponsored by Novo Nordisk Canada. All content is created independently by My Weight – What To Know with no influence from Novo Nordisk.
