Long Hours May Raise Obesity, Study Says
Long working hours may make people more likely to be obese, a new study suggests. Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia presented their work at a major obesity meeting in Istanbul. They looked at 33 countries from 1990 to 2022. Countries with longer working hours, such as the United States and Mexico, also had higher rates of obesity.
The team said work stress and a lack of time may explain the link. Stress raises a chemical called cortisol, which makes the body store fat. People who work long hours also have less time to cook healthy food or exercise. The researchers found that a 1% cut in working hours was linked to a 0.16% drop in obesity. But they warned this does not prove that long hours cause obesity.
Some groups in the United Kingdom want a four-day working week. They say a shorter week could help people live healthier lives. The study suggests that a 20% cut in working hours could lead to half a million fewer obese Britons. About 200 UK companies have already changed to a four-day week. But other experts are not sure. The UK government will not force the change, but will make flexible work easier.
