The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[DewDiligence]

Is globesity a new word?

http://online.barrons.com/articles/globesity-on-the-rise-1419654023

As you ponder New Year’s resolutions tied to dieting, chew on this: Nearly a third of the world’s population is overweight or obese, a percentage that is set to hit nearly 50% by 2030.

That’s according to a recent report on “Globesity and Health & Wellness” by Sarbjit Nahal, head of thematic investing at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He estimates the global impact of obesity is $2 trillion, or 2.8% of global gross domestic product—on par with smoking, armed violence, war, and terrorism.

…Although the U.S., China, and India are the countries with the greatest share of the world’s obese, Greece and Italy have higher percentages of overweight and obese people than the U.S…

In the developing world, the lower rungs of the socioeconomic ladder have less time for physical activity, and eat more processed food.
…
This plays into an investing theme. Nahal identifies some 90 stocks in the pharmaceuticals, health-care and medical technology, food and beverage, weight-loss, and sports-apparel and equipment areas.

Right on point with respect to the premise of this message board.

Happy New Year!