Brooke Bates had always been the ‘fat kid’; teased, inadequate and depressed. Her weight reiterated her failure to conform to the ‘ideal’ body constantly exhibited in the media and advertising. At the influential age of 12, Brooke underwent liposuction and a tummy tuck to remove 16kg of fat. Brooke’s story is not unique, and appears to be increasingly common in the developed world.  While teenagers in the US receive liposuction, it is estimated that one in three children under five in developing nations suffer from malnutrition. Teen Lipo is about Brooke’s struggle to fit in, feel confident and address her health problems.