"Longer Working Hours, Higher Obesity?"... Study Sparks Heated Debate Over Four-Day Workweek

European Obesity Congress: Study Analyzes OECD Countries
A 1% Reduction in Working Hours Linked to a 0.16% Drop in Obesity Rates
UK Sees Growing Support for Expanding the Four-Day Workweek

A study has found that countries with longer working hours tend to have higher obesity rates. In the UK, this has sparked further discussion around the implementation of a four-day workweek.

The British daily The Guardian reported on May 10 (local time) that these findings were presented at the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) conference recently held in Istanbul, Türkiye.

According to the report, the research team conducted a comparative analysis of working hours and obesity rates in 33 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) from 1990 to 2022. The results showed that countries with longer annual working hours, such as the United States, Mexico, and Colombia, also exhibited higher obesity rates. In contrast, Northern European countries had relatively low obesity rates despite higher average caloric and fat intake.

The study found that a 1% reduction in annual working hours led to an average decrease in obesity rates by 0.16%.

Dr. Pradipa Koralage Gedara of the University of Queensland, Australia, who led the research, explained, "Long working hours increase stress and reduce time for exercise," adding, "An increase in the stress hormone cortisol may be linked to fat accumulation." He further noted, "When people lead more balanced lives, stress decreases, which can lead to healthier eating habits and increased physical activity."

However, the researchers clarified that their analysis does not prove a direct causal relationship between working hours and obesity. They explained that other factors, such as national income levels, may also have had an impact.

Nonetheless, this study has fueled calls in the UK for the adoption of a four-day workweek. Advocacy groups supporting the four-day workweek argue that reducing working hours can help improve public health.

Dr. Rita Fontinha, a psychologist at the University of Reading, UK, stated, "When people work multiple jobs or long hours, it becomes difficult to find the energy to cook, making it easier to rely on processed foods." She added, "Reducing working hours, such as through a four-day workweek, can improve eating habits, physical activity, and sleep patterns, contributing to a healthier society."

On the other hand, the UK government has ruled out legally mandating a four-day workweek. A government spokesperson said, "We will not make the four-day workweek mandatory," but added, "We are improving the system so that requests for flexible working can be accommodated more easily."

According to the UK Office for National Statistics, more than 200,000 people have transitioned to a four-day workweek since the COVID-19 pandemic. About 200 companies are currently operating on a four-day schedule, and recently some local governments have introduced a four-day workweek for all employees.