Wednesday 3rd January 2007
Financial services provider Norwich Union is offering investment advice to customers wishing to take advantage of the obesity epidemic.
Research from the International Association of Agricultural Economists has shown there are more overweight people in the world than malnourished people, Norwich Union reports.
Now it is advising that investments take into account the likelihood of a response by focusing on health food companies.
Peter Michaelis, manager of the Norwich Union UK ethical fund, said: "We see this as an investment issue because it can affect companies long-term profitability."
"Retailers that produce high quality food and healthy lifestyle ranges will enjoy an increase in demand for their products," he added.
Meanwhile, companies which produce treatments for heart attacks, strokes and joint replacements are also tipped for success by Norwich Union.
The Health Select Committee estimates that the annual cost of obesity now runs to between £3.3 billion and £3.7 billion.
Norwich Union parent company Aviva offers investment advice for investors on the move via its mobile and PDA-accessible site.
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