The new Pokemon GO app has captured the hearts and minds of America’s youth (and youth-plus) since its launch last week.
And it’s also captured their legs.
Pokemon GO’s success has led to an inadvertent phenomenon: a spark in exercise — and everyone is talking about it. Especially on Twitter.
The game, which encourage users to walk around searching for fictional creatures, is motivating people, from erstwhile shut-ins to nostalgic millennials, to leave their labyrinths and interact with the outside world.
If the trend persists, the app could be revolutionary just when the United States in particular needs it most. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 37.9 percent of adults age 20 and over are obese as of 2013 to 2014. That number drops to 20.5 percent for obese adolescents age 12 to 19, though that data is from 2011 to 2012.
Is Pokemon GO actually a secret ploy to get you off the couch?
Here’s what people are saying:
#PokemonGo be like
“I got fat kids to run around today, what are you doing with your life?”
— Robert Manion (@robertmanion)
I’ve probably burned 1,000 calories playing #PokemonGO today.
— SLOTH (@Timmyham)
Pokemon go got more kids to do exercise in 24 hours then Michelle Obama did in 8 years
— Morgan Hart (@morganhhart)
When I realized #PokemonGo is really just a ploy to get you to exercise. pic.twitter.com/MoJS4Oj8yG
— iconick™ (@NICKWALSH)
Pokemon Go is obviously a ploy by the government to make harmless introverts venture into the harsh outdoors for exercise. Wake up, mareeple
— Jordan Cwierz (@JordanCwierz)
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Pokemon GO Has Everyone Exercising originally appeared on usnews.com
