Four day working week good for tackling obesity
Experts claim a four-day workweek could help reduce obesity rates, reduce stress and even ease pressure on healthcare services.
Researchers found that countries where people worked the longest hours tended to have the highest obesity rates, although countries that worked shorter hours generally had less healthy diets.
The findings have sparked fresh calls for Britain to adopt the four-day week; campaigners argued it could help combat the country’s bulging waistlines.
Scientists from the University of Queensland, Australia, analyzed working patterns and obesity rates in 33 OECD countries between 1990 and 2022.
They found that reducing annual work hours by just one percent was linked to a 0.16 percent decrease in obesity rates.
Researcher Pradeepa Korale-Gedara said: “There are many ways that working hours promote obesity, as well as fast food, which are of course important.
“For example, long hours can lead to increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which has been associated with weight gain.
“When people have more balanced lives, they experience less stress, can focus on more nutritious foods, and participate in more physical activity.”
Experts believe long hours spent sitting, combined with stress and addiction to takeaways, are fueling the obesity crisis.
Nearly two-thirds of adults in the UK are now overweight or obese; This increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, dementia and cancer.
Campaigners estimate that switching to a four-day week could mean half a million fewer obese people in Britain.
James Reeves, a campaigner at the 4-Day Week Foundation, told the Daily Mail: “A full day on full pay could reduce Britain’s obesity levels by giving millions of people the time they need to kick bad habits and make healthier choices.
“It is crucial that local and national governments seriously consider the role a shorter working week could play in improving the health of our communities.
“The nine-to-five, five-day workweek is 100 years old and we are long overdue the update.”
Previous studies have also linked shorter work weeks with less stress, better sleep and more exercise.
But critics remain unconvinced.
Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, warned: “For most people, the four-day week means lower incomes, and we know that people on lower incomes are more likely to be obese.”
A government spokesman also confirmed ministers had no plans to force companies to implement a four-day week with full pay.
