"I may be fat, but I beat my eating disorder"

[pocaracas]

I sense a UK-US divergence, here...

Us'ians like to be left alone and prefer to take the PC road with everything.
Brits... still care, bless them... at least for their friends. "I'd say, ol'chap, you're getting a bit rounder in your belly. The wife treating better than fine, I see."

I think you may have a point here. But I also think people on both sides of this argument are way too extreme. Is it wrong to suggest a friend or family member try to lose weight? No. I prefer offering to help. I have an anti processed foods policy at my house (except special occasions) and any friends or family are welcome to eat here I will cook them healthy food if they're interested in getting healthy. I have helped people lose weight before. I think if you're not willing to put in the effort of actually helping someone, then there's no use in opening your mouth. Speak out about obesity in general get involved in groups that aim to educate people who are interested in getting some help. Going up to some dude like "hey I really care about you and I suggest you try to eat less for your own sake. I'm not judging your body just genuinely concerned" is completely worthless. At best you'll have told dude exactly what he already knew and made absolutely no impact on his health. At worst you'll have hurt his feelings or pissed him off and still made absolutely no impact on his health.

I think it depends a lot on the history you have with the person.
You don't walk up to some random stranger and advise a little cut on the calorie intake...

But if you're good friends and have seen that person in better health, then you maybe should let them know - some people do become oblivious, or simply stop caring - and, of course, if you can offer some actual help, it's the icing on the cake... but, to be honest, how many of us can be in a position to actually help with someone else's dietary and exercise needs? Not many, I guess.... so it becomes more of an advice... the other person takes it or leaves it... you don't stop being friends over that... that would be silly.