DEAR HARRIETTE: My father is a little larger and doesn’t properly take care of himself, and I believe it’s starting to affect his health. My family and I tried walking around New York City, and after 15 minutes, we had to stop at a park bench. He was panting, and I genuinely thought he might have been having a heart attack. He has high blood pressure, is prediabetic and drinks at least three Monster energy drinks a day. My mom and I have both tried telling my dad that we’re worried about him and his health, and he brushes it off as a joke. His own mother has tried saying something, and he still refuses to make better life choices. Is there anything else we can do to help him realize he needs to make some health changes, or is that something he’ll have to deal with alone? – Concerned Child DEAR CONCERNED CHILD: You have every reason to be worried while having no power over your father to make him change. You can appeal to his love for you. Be direct with him.