Today’s culture of convenience means it’s easy to order food, take work meetings and connect with friends while sitting on the sofa.
Experts have even warned of an ‘inactivity epidemic’ as lifestyles become more sedentary and people get less exercise.
To highlight the dangers of getting too comfortable, a team from walking app WeWard created a grotesque model called Sam to show what the average sedentary person could look like by 2050.
And with his sunken eyes, dull complexion, swollen feet and ‘tech neck’, it might just be enough to get you on your feet.
‘If you’re looking for something frightening this Halloween, look no further than what could be our future if we continue to place convenience over daily movement,’ WeWard said in a blog post.
‘Backed by medical research, Sam illustrates the long-term physical impact and health risks that result from a life defined by limited mobility, excessive screen use and convenience-driven habits.’
The company also applied the projection – created using AI – to famous celebrity figures including Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey and Meryl Streep.
And if you’d like to try it out for yourself, it’s even provided the ChatGPT prompt here to show what your future appearance could look like.
To highlight the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle, experts created a grotesque model called Sam to show what the average sedentary person could look like by 2050
Weight gain and increased body fat
When the body is inactive, it burns fewer calories and slows down your metabolism. Over time, unused energy is stored as fat, especially around the midsection, increasing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Poor posture
Spending long periods sitting or leaning over screens encourages a forward-tilting head and curved upper back, also known as ‘tech neck’.
This can lead to chronic neck and shoulder pain and make proper posture harder to maintain over time.
Joint stiffness, arthritis, and limited mobility
Regular movement keeps joints lubricated and flexible, but prolonged sitting disrupts this process. Without enough motion, joints can become stiff, sore, and less mobile, particularly in the hips and knees.
Over time, chronic inactivity increases the chance of degenerative arthritis, as the cartilage cushioning the bones wears down, leading to swelling and lasting stiffness.
This is what a sedentary Oprah Winfrey would look like (left) according to the projection. Brad Pitt, meanwhile, would have red eyes and a beer belly (right)
Swollen ankles/feet and varicose veins
Remaining seated for long periods slows blood flow and reduces circulation. This can cause fluids to accumulate in the ankles and feet, leading to swelling, varicose veins, and in more serious cases, increased risk of blood clots.
Premature ageing
Studies show that blue light exposure and the act of squinting into digital devices can cause signs of premature ageing and hyperpigmentation to the skin.
Hair thinning /loss
Chronic stress, poor circulation, and nutrient-poor diets, all of which are common in sedentary lifestyles, reduce oxygen and nutrients to the scalp, weakening hair follicles and accelerating thinning.
Digital eye strain and blurred vision
Excessive screen time reduces blinking and forces the eyes to focus at one distance for too long. This ultimately leads to redness, dryness, blurred vision, headaches, and difficulty focusing.
Lionel Messi is known for his athletic ability on the pitch – but would pile on weight if he was inactive, the projection (left) shows. Meryl Streep (right) would walk hunched over and likely have limited mobility, according to AI
Skin issues (eczema, dull complexion, dark circles)
Reduced circulation means less oxygen and nutrients reach the skin, which can lead to poor vascular health.
This can show up as worsened eczema flare-ups, dull complexion, and dark circles around the eyes.
Other effects not pictured in the projection could include higher rates of stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, a higher risk of certain cancers and an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.
