Bodybuilder reveals how he helped world's most obese child lose 18 stone

A bodybuilder took on the challenge of guiding the world's most obese child through his weight loss journey - and managed to help him lose an extraordinary 18 stone (114 kg).

Before meeting Ade Rai and embarking on a fitness trip, the Indonesian boy, Aria Permana, weighed 31 stone or almost 200kg.

He spent his days playing video games and fed mainly processed food, such as instant noodles, and soft drinks, consuming a total of about 7,000 calories per day.

As he couldn't fit in a regular bathtub or shower, Aria had to be bathed in a specially -built small pool outside his home, and he would wrap a sarong around him because he couldn't get regular clothes that would fit him.

Aria Permana lost more than half of his weight, going from 31 to 13 stone in three years (Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

Until one day, at the age of 11, Aria was rushed to the hospital in need of bariatric surgery, and this is where he met three-time world natural bodybuilding champion Rai, who ran a gym nearby.

Rai learned about Aria in the news and decided to visit and offer his help and expertise. He met the boy's family at the hospital and was greeted with "enthousiasm", according to the Sun.

So they started working together, and gradually, not only did the child change his diet and habits, but he also joined Rai's gym and started working out regularly.

Ade Rai supported Aria Permana with a combination of diet, exercise and healthier habits (instagram/ade_rai)

Rai explained: "As Aria lives 3 hours away from the hospital, he gets to visit for regular checkups every two weeks.

"So I made it a point that he also visited my gym after every hospital routine visit, so we can measure his improvements, then give more inputs about the exercise plan, and rehearse new exercise moves to bring home and repeat."

And he added that Aria enjoys going to the gym as he considers it like a "playground with many new fun things to do" Rai said, adding: "And for that, I am relieved and glad."

Aria Permana deserves "huge credit" for the impeccable work he has done (Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

Over the course of three years, Aria lost more than his half weight and he is now between 13 and 14 stone. He has developed a very close relationship with Rai, who said he treats Aria "like [his] nephew".

Rai said that the young boy deserves "huge credit" for the work he has done, as he "goes through the journey so bravely and without any major complaints".

And added: "He had always wanted to get back to a healthy weight so he can play football again."