Arnold Schwarzenegger Warns About Co-Relation of Myopia With Lack of Outdoor Activities in Growing Kids

According to a study, only 27% of kids go out of their houses to play. Another study by Outward Bound highlights that an average American kid spends 5 to 8 hours of his day on his smartphone or computer with just a mere 4 to 7 minutes spent on unstructured outdoor play. This is now contributing to an alarming risk of myopia for the Gen Z generation.

Shedding light on the same, seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger raised concern about how prolonged screen time has increased the risk of suffering from myopia. He also shared a valuable tip if you’re worried about your eyes.

50% of global population to need corrective lenses in the next 25 years: Arnie

In the latest edition of the Austrian Oak’s newsletter, Arnold’s Pump Club, he shared that “research suggests that myopia — also known as nearsightedness — is increasing at a rapid rate among children (and adults).” Research done by MyopiaProfile showcased that 29% of the world’s population suffers from myopia-related diseases. 

“Some projections indicate that we are on pace for 50 percent of the global population to need corrective lenses within the next twenty-five years,” wrote Arnie. Further, Arnie reveals how research suggests that kids who spend more time inside their homes and do not go out to play are likely to develop myopia four times faster than those who do. Scientists highlighted that each hour spent away from the screen in the outside world decreases the risk of myopia by 2%, Schwarzenegger wrote.

The Austrian Oak highlighted that the retina inside the human eye is developed by the amount of light that enters it. If you fail to get enough light in your retina, “it can affect how the shape of your eyes evolves during maturation, changing how light rays from what you look at converge in your retina.” Natural light is a vital component for your eyes to maintain proper and healthy vision. 

However, the Terminator is not here to scare you. He also shared a tip you can follow if you work on your computer or mobile device for a long time. You can follow the 20-20-20 rule to keep your eyes less strained. “Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and look about 20 feet away,” explains Arnie. Earlier, the seven-time Mr. Olympia shed light on how Gen Z was fueling the decline in happiness.

Increased screen leads to a decline in happiness

America is no longer on the list of the top 20 happy countries. In an edition of his newsletter, the Austrian Oak shared the reason behind this. Emphasizing how, on average, Gen Z spends seven hours on their phones, Arnie explained, “I believe that for many people, the machines become a replacement for purpose. They don’t have time to figure out their vision for making a difference in their world, so they aren’t sure why they are doing what they are doing.“

The Terminator reminisced about the time when people used to go out to restaurants and everyone used to talk with each other. A decade ago, people used to connect and share feelings instead of staring at their mobile screens. According to the Austrian Oak, the new generation likes to do all this virtually, staying on their screens. 

Like his usual self, Arnie has shed light on two of the most crucial matters that need urgent attention from everyone. What is your take on the topic? Will you follow the advice shared by Arnie? Let us know in the comments.