Yes, I agree with the best of them that diet and exercise might be one of the options but that should be no reason for him to stop searching.
Keep up the search bro, you're going to find something out there. There's always something for everyone.
When you mean fat burners that aren't just marketing, is your meaning, fat burners that have had studies done on them proving they work?
Are you currently in training? Do you have any nutrition / health related knowledge?