Companies attempting to tackle the global obesity epidemic will become part of a much larger investment trend in the next 25 years or more.

According to a Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Research report, "Globesity—The Global Fight Against Obesity," there are more than 50 companies out there focused on pharmaceuticals and healthcare, food, commercial weight loss, diet management and nutrition and sports apparel and equipment that will dominate the stock markets in the near future.

"Global obesity is a mega-investment theme for the next 25 years and beyond. Obesity may be the most pressing health challenge facing the world today and efforts to tackle it will shape thinking by policy makers and in boardrooms around the world," said Sarbjit Nahal, equity strategist at BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research.