by Marc Lichtenfeld, Advisory Panelist
Did you know that 59 million American adults are obese? That's 25% of the adults in this country.
Not overweight. Not "soft around the middle." Not, "Yeah, I could probably lose a few pounds."
Obese.
I highlighted that alarming statistic in a report I published last week for my small-cap healthcare service, Access.
Of course, it's no surprise that America loves to eat. It's also no surprise that many Americans eat too much – and often, indulge in food that's bad for us…
It's obvious that we've vaulted from plus size, to king size, to super size. There are even television shows like "The Biggest Loser" focused on the growing problem.
And with the healthcare debate still swirling around Washington, it's a topic that is likely to attract more attention in terms of preventative healthcare measures that Americans can take. There is lots of work to be done and the big picture on any reform is still quite murky.
What is clear, however, is that there's going to be an increasing emphasis on wellness. After all, this is the most practical, cost-effective way to lower healthcare costs.
What's more, I believe this will be a profitable long-term theme for investors. Here are a few ideas to look at…
America's New Route 66: The Road to Health
There are a couple of ways to kickstart a trend towards greater wellness. The incentives range from financial ones, such as lower insurance premiums, to higher taxes on junk food.
Alternatively, some people might simply realize on their own that if they stop eating donuts for breakfast and McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) for lunch, they'll feel better and have more energy.
In terms of investing, we'll break it down into two main areas – information and diet/nutrition…
Well-Informed = Well-Being
Websites that provide health information already have plenty of traffic. And with people increasingly looking to manage their own health, those numbers should rise. Here are two firms that could take advantage…
- Health Grades (Nasdaq: HGRD):
The company provides health information on thousands of conditions and symptoms.
