Experts are calling for a four-day working week in the UK after new research linked long work hours to higher obesity rates. The study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, analysed working patterns and obesity prevalence across 33 OECD countries from 1990 to 2022.
Key Findings
Countries with longer annual working hours, such as the United States, Mexico, and Colombia, also exhibited higher obesity rates. Interestingly, northern European nations, despite consuming more energy and fat on average than Latin American countries, had lower obesity rates. The research indicated that reducing annual working hours by 1% was associated with a 0.16% decrease in obesity rates.
Explanations for the Link
Dr. Pradeepa Korale-Gedara of the University of Queensland, Australia, the lead author, suggested that lack of time for exercise and work-related stress could explain the correlation. Increased stress raises cortisol levels, prompting the body to store more fat, while sedentary jobs limit energy expenditure. “When people have a more balanced life, they have a better life,” she said. “They have less stress, they can focus on more nutritious food and engage in more physical activities.”
Calls for a Four-Day Week
Although the study does not prove causation and acknowledges that income levels may also play a role, it has renewed calls for a four-day week in the UK. Approximately 200 companies have already adopted this pattern, and South Cambridgeshire district council, now under Liberal Democrat control, has introduced a four-day week for all staff. Office for National Statistics data shows over 200,000 workers have switched to a four-day week since the COVID-19 pandemic.
James Reeves, a campaign manager at the 4 Day Week Foundation, stated: “A four-day week on full pay could slash Britain’s obesity levels by giving millions the time they need to ditch bad habits and make healthier choices. It’s essential that local and national governments seriously consider the role that a shorter working week can play in improving the health of our communities. The nine-to-five, five-day working week is 100 years old and we’re long overdue an update.”
Dr. Rita Fontinha, a psychologist at the University of Reading who has conducted research on the four-day week, noted that obesity is closely related to time poverty. “If you work two jobs or long hours, you simply do not have the energy to cook and it becomes easier to just buy something packaged or processed. A four-day week or different forms of working-time reduction could be associated with better choices in terms of food, exercise and sleep to contribute to healthier societies.”
Government Stance
Ministers remain opposed to mandating a four-day week. A government spokesperson said: “This government will not mandate a four-day work week for five days’ pay. But through the Employment Rights Act, we’re making it easier for flexible working requests to be accepted.”
