How do I help my friend reduce weight?

Dear Ask The Doctor: This actually is a question about a friend. He has always been a big boy but over the past few years it has gotten worse. He is nearly a quarter ton. We all love the guy but he is so big he breaks many of the chairs he sits in and even the cars. I realize he doesn't take care of himself and never sees a doctor, and I don't think he realizes he has major health risks. He doesn't eat all that much either, (I, a little over 100lbs, can out eat him in one sitting) but what he does eat isn't healthy and all he drinks in alcohol and soda. On top of being extremely over weight he has asthma and smokes. He is only 21 but I'm afraid he won't make it until he's 30. Is there anything his other friends and I could do to help? (In the personal information I did post my information.)

Dear Tara: Obesity needs to be managed early because of associated health risks and to improve the quality of life. To lose weight and then to maintain it successfully, is very challenging because lifestyle and behavioural changes are required. Best for your friend would be to join an appropriate weight management program that combines exercise, healthy diet, and change in daily habits along with psychological counselling to help with emotional factors that may have lead to overweight and addiction.