An AI system has created a model of Michael—a fan of ultra-processed food (UPF)—for a research report by the culinary company Gousto.
Meet Michael
This is one of those cases where seeing the consequences of overconsumption of ultra-processed foods hits harder than a hundred warnings about their dangers.
So, meet Michael. His shoulders are hunched. He is clearly struggling under the weight of his enormous, bloated belly. His chest is sagging, his skin is marked with acne, and his legs are swollen and covered in sores. His yellowed eyes, framed by dark circles, stare blankly into space.
No, Michael isn’t a character from a horror movie or a crime series about the mafia. According to the AI’s vision, this is what the average Brit could look like after 30 years of a diet filled with junk food.
And that’s not all the consequences of prolonged poor nutrition. Beyond the visible problems like obesity, Michael also faces other health issues. He suffers from asthma, depression, and anxiety. He also struggles with sleep, is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and has heart disease. That puts him at higher risk of a heart attack or stroke, which can lead to disability.
Why This Visualization?
By commissioning the AI model of Michael, Gousto researchers hoped to raise public awareness about the long-term effects of modern eating habits. Over the past few decades, ultra-processed foods, which are loaded with additives, have become a staple in the British diet.
A growing body of research links UPFs to a range of serious diseases, including cancer. Recent studies have shown that people whose diets are rich in these foods tend to die earlier.
Meanwhile, ultra-processed foods make up 57 percent of the average adult’s diet and, even more alarmingly, 66 percent of a child’s diet.
Official data show the UK consumes more UPF than any other European country. So it’s no surprise that the share of people who are overweight or obese in Britain has sharply increased over the past few decades. Currently, a quarter of the adult population is classified as overweight. Obesity affects 15 percent of children aged 2 to 15, as reported by the Daily Mail.
A survey by Gousto found that nearly two-thirds of Britons are unaware of the long-term consequences of eating unhealthy food. While three-quarters would like to eat healthier, they say they lack the time or money to do so.
General practitioner Hilary Jones said, “Ultra-processed foods themselves aren’t harmful, but when they dominate our diets and replace fresh, nutrient-rich foods, they can increase the risk of long-term health issues such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and nutrient deficiencies.”
She added, “Cooking from scratch is one of the most effective ways to minimize consumption of ultra-processed foods.”
Matthew Lambert, a dietitian and manager at the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), said, “We advise people to eat less ultra-processed food high in saturated fats, sugar, and salt. This includes items like cakes, cookies, pastries, chips, sugary drinks, and fast food such as pizza and burgers. These foods lack fiber and essential nutrients and should only be consumed occasionally and in small amounts.”
