[_Lisa_]

Obesity isn't something that just springs out of nowhere. Your doctor should be able to see it coming & make recommendations when he does get a chance to see you.

If you want to approach your friends for advice on eating out & ask for examples/suggestions then thats one thing. Its another for someone to come up out of the blue & say "Sweetie, you know you're my best friend. I'll love you always. But I think you eat too much of the wrong kinds of food & are obese."

I think that qualified professionals should be doling out medical advice instead of friends, at least until the obese friend opens the door for discussion. And as for the similarity to smoking, I think the line is drawn at the medical dangers. Smoking isn't an attack at how you perceive yourself.