Most people would be happy to get rid of excess body fat. Even better: Trade the spare tire for something useful — say, better-functioning knees or hips, or a fix for an ailing heart or a broken bone.

Bill Marlette was a long way from home, but he was willing to take the risk, as there were really no other options. He was tired of the daily pain that made even shaking someone's hand almost ...

John Pimanda is employed by UNSW Australia and the Prince of Wales Hospital and receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council. Vashe Chandrakanthan receives funding from the ...