Novo Nordisk: When do patients typically come to you for support with managing their weight? How does your approach change depending on where someone is in their weight and health journey?

Dr. Campos: It varies. I see a wide range of patients at different points in their journey. Some come when they are struggling with overweight or obesity and want support with weight loss. In these cases, I focus on partnering with them – talking about how I can help them reach their weight-loss goals in a way that fits into their life.

Other times, patients come to me after they’ve had a serious health event, like a heart attack or stroke, or after being diagnosed with conditions like heart disease or diabetes. For these patients, our conversations are often more focused on the association between weight and their overall health, and how even losing as little as 10% of their weight can help manage – or even help improve – some medical conditions.⁶

Starting the conversation and taking weight gain seriously – especially before developing weight-related health issues – can make a meaningful difference.⁷ But no matter where someone is starting, it’s never too early – or too late – to have a conversation about weight and health. The key is having a plan that meets you where you are.

Novo Nordisk: You’ve been helping people manage obesity for more than 40 years. For you, what’s been the biggest change in how obesity is managed from when you started out to now? What tools do you have now that have changed how you approach weight-management?

Dr. Campos: From my experience, the shift has been dramatic. Decades ago, early in my career, even I believed weight loss was mostly about willpower. Patients would tell me how hungry they felt, and I’d encourage them to push through – back then, I thought it was just about motivation.

But as research progressed, I came to understand how complex obesity truly is. It’s not a personal failure – it’s a chronic disease driven by biology. Genetics, hormones, and the way the body works to defend its weight all play a role.⁴ That’s why one of the most important things I do with patients is help shift their mindset from blame to biology. When they understand what’s really going on in their bodies, they’re much more open to exploring solutions.

Novo Nordisk: From your perspective, what gaps still exist in how obesity is managed today?

Dr. Campos: One of the biggest gaps I see – among both patients and HCPs – is that many people still don’t fully recognize obesity for what it is: a chronic disease.⁴ The reality is that obesity is a long-term health condition that needs ongoing, comprehensive care, just like any other chronic illness.⁸

Fortunately, we have more tools than ever to help build tailored weight-management plans for patients with obesity – from lifestyle strategies to the addition of weight management medications, or bariatric surgery for appropriate patients.^9,10

Novo Nordisk: What do you recommend as a first step for patients feeling overwhelmed by their weight management options?

Dr. Campos: The most important first step is having an honest conversation with your doctor. When I meet a new patient, the first thing I do is listen. I ask about their journey – what’s worked, what hasn’t, where they’ve struggled. Understanding that history helps me see the full picture.

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when thinking about weight management. Patients may carry guilt, feel discouraged by past efforts, or be unclear about what options are available or right for them. But your doctors are there to work with you – to help you understand the science behind obesity and the weight-management options that might work for you based on your individual needs. The more your doctor knows about your history and experiences, the better equipped they’ll be to help you find a plan that works best for you.