An apparatus and method for selectively heating adipose cells within a treatment region of a subject is disclosed. The method includes positioning the treatment region between first and second electrodes connected to a generator, and activating the generator to apply an alternating electric field between the first and second electrodes and across the treatment region to thereby heat the treatment region. The adipose cells heat at a faster rate than non-targets within the treatment region, which preferably results in the killing of the adipose cells.