Page 142 - BWM March 2013

142 | Business World Magazine | March 2013
jobs, uncomfortable at being seen in public
and suspicious that others are making derog-
atory remarks about their weight. The study
also found that the majority believe they are
treated disrespectfully by their physicians.
Interestingly, a more recent study found that
one of three doctors conceded to responding
negatively to obesity, much as they would
other diagnostic categories involving drug
addiction or alcoholism. Another compa-
rable study found that two-thirds of doctors
regard obese patients as simply lacking self-
control, while as much as 39% felt these pa-
tients are lazy. Studies with nurses indicated
similar results. As much as that data sheds
unfortunate insight on the perceptions of
medical professionals on which others rely,
it also makes it abundantly clear how impor-
tant it is to seek counsel from those who not
only understand weight-loss solutions, but
genuinely care and long to serve the physical
and emotional well-being of those who want
help.
Ed Kaloust understands exactly what it
feels like to be overweight, but more im-
portantly, he knows what is needed to take
the weight off, and keep it off. Like so many,
Kaloust was trying to overcome his own