People who work longer hours are more likely to be obese, according to research presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul. The international study found that countries with longer working hours have higher obesity rates, prompting experts to call for Britain to consider a four-day working week.
Dr Pradeepa Korale-Gedara of the University of Queensland, the study's author, said workplace stress increases the hormone cortisol, leading to more fat storage, while modern jobs often involve little physical activity. She noted that a more balanced life reduces stress, allowing people to focus on nutritious food and exercise.
The study analysed data from 33 OECD countries between 1990 and 2022, finding that a 1% reduction in annual working hours was associated with a 0.16% decrease in obesity rates. In the UK, where three in ten adults are obese, a 20% reduction in hours (equivalent to a four-day week) could be linked to around half a million fewer obese people, though researchers caution the study does not prove causation.
Dr Rita Fontinha, a psychologist at Reading University, commented that long hours contribute to 'time poverty', making it harder to cook healthy meals. The findings come amid growing interest in the four-day week in the UK, with a 2022 pilot involving 61 companies showing positive results.
