From Abdominal Obesity and Forward Head Posture to Hair Loss
Caused by Inactivity and Smartphone Addiction
Abdominal obesity, forward head posture, thinning hair, a wrinkled face, and swollen feet...
This somewhat grotesque appearance is the predicted look of humanity 25 years from now, as envisioned by a mobile application company using ChatGPT.
According to the New York Post and other U.S. media outlets on October 31 (local time), the previous day, the step-tracking app WeWard unveiled "Sam," a representation of what modern people might look like in 2050 due to lack of physical activity and smartphone addiction.
WeWard collected relevant data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), inputting these as prompts into ChatGPT to create Sam's appearance. The results of a lifestyle where people continue to sit while working and eating, and spend time mindlessly scrolling on smartphones, were shocking. The overall prediction was that posture would deteriorate, premature aging would accelerate, and various symptoms caused by prolonged sitting would appear.
Sam gained weight and developed abdominal obesity because the energy not expended due to a sedentary lifestyle and excessive smartphone use was stored as fat around the abdomen. Over time, the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes also increases. Additionally, because of sitting for long periods or slouching while looking at screens, Sam's head tilts forward, the upper body is hunched, and the neck has developed forward head posture, often leading to chronic shoulder and neck pain.
Sam also has stiff joints in the hips and knees, and poor blood circulation has caused the ankles and feet to become swollen. Other complications include varicose veins, and in more severe cases, an increased risk of blood clots.
WeWard warned that exposure to blue light from screens can cause premature skin aging and hyperpigmentation. Sam's eyes are bloodshot, with dark circles under them. Focusing on a single distance for too long has resulted in dryness, blurred vision, headaches, and decreased concentration. Chronic fatigue, poor blood circulation, and nutritional imbalances caused by a sedentary lifestyle have led to thinning hair and hair loss, while deteriorating vascular health has made the skin appear dull.
By presenting Sam's appearance, WeWard warned, "If you don't start moving now, health problems will arise and your quality of life will decline." They added, "Today, where convenience is prioritized, people can order food, attend work meetings, or communicate with friends all while sitting on the sofa. If you add up the time spent excessively consuming content on social networking services (SNS), we spend an abnormally large amount of time in front of screens."
They further stated, "Lack of physical activity is directly related to health problems such as increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and dementia, and it also affects everyday quality of life, including sleep, muscle and bone development, depression, and anxiety."
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