Stockpickr
The Perfect Stock for the Obesity Trend
James Altucher
08/07/08 - 02:46 PM EDT
Updated from 11:10 a.m. EDTObesity has steadily become a national nightmare in the U.S. and is on its way to becoming a global epidemic. For the first time in hundreds of years, the average lifespan could actually begin to decrease because of the effects of obesity.
Here are some basic numbers:
- Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese.
- Roughly 60 million Americans are considered obese.
- Within 50 years, obesity will likely shorten the average lifespan of Americans -- 77.6 years -- by at least two to five years.
- Some 3.8 million Americans weigh over 300 pounds.
- The prevalence of obesity among children has quadrupled in the past 25 years.
A note from James Altucher: Every weekend I send an email to Jim Cramer and several hedge fund managers about the most interesting portfolios posted on Stockpickr that week. Usually those portfolios not only list stocks according to a theme but also offer significant analysis as to why the stocks are cheap. Here are some examples: Here's the challenge: Build a portfolio at Stockpickr.com with great analysis, and send me the link. Each great portfolio (with analysis) will get posted on TheStreet.com with your byline (as a "Stockpickr Guest Columnist") and will be included in my email I send to Jim and the other hedge fund managers on my list.