The Alabama pastor nominated in a competition for free weight loss surgery from America's National Obesity Foundation has been told that he has won.

William Enoch McCoy II, who pastors the Greater Destiny Worship Center, will receive free bariatric surgery as part of a Humanitarian Award aimed at recognising people who have served their community.

He was one of four in the running and as well as surgery, he will receive advice on nutrition and help with exercise.

At 5' 11" tall, McCoy weighs around 40 stone and takes 13 daily medications for obesity-related issues.

As well as pastoring the church he volunteers with Meals on Wheels and with the Montgomery Association of Retarded Citizens.

He told the Montgomery Advertiser that he was committed to a lifestyle change.

"I will try to do more walking as I can at this point," McCoy said. "I'm just trying to stay motivated. I'm willing to do whatever is necessary. I'd rather go this way than stay in the direction I'm heading. Repentance in Christianity ... it means to turn from going from one direction to a completely opposite direction. It doesn't just mean to say 'I'm sorry.'"

He and his brother were raised by their father after their mother died and developed poor eating habits early on. The last time he felt normal, he said, was when he was a 170-pound 12-year-old.

"But God made a way," McCoy added. "This has been the major obstacle in my life. I'm just doing what I can to keep going. I'm looking for a second chance to serve people I feel I am called to serve."

The weight loss surgery costs $14,000 and the campaign was run on Facebook. McCoy thanked all those who supported him.

A Baylor University study in January found that a third of US pastors were obese. The report published in the journal Social Science Research, "Occupational conditions, self-care and obesity among clergy in the United States", identifies particular factors such as stress, long hours, being underpaid and failing to take care of themselves as some of the reasons for pastors being overweight.

However, pastors do have advantages, if they are willing to use them.

Lead researcher Todd Ferguson said: "In many religious traditions, the theology actually mandates at least one day a week to recuperate. Also, some pastors have the opportunity to be part of a small, intensive, introspective group of other pastors, and that can help with stress. There are structures in place that can actually help them cope and lower their chances of obesity."

He said that pastors tended to be in situations where food was available: "Pastors are an integral part of the most intimate aspects of community life - marriages, deaths, births - and these often entail food. It's part of the culture."