People who work longer hours are more likely to be obese, study finds
A poor work-life balance can make it difficult to lose weight, according to a study that suggests people who work longer hours are more likely to become obese.
Spending more time working at a desk may mean spending less time exercising. Working long, long hours may also contribute to stress-related eating and high cortisol levels, both of which are associated with weight gain, the researchers explained.
The lead author of the study is Dr. from the University of Queensland, Australia. “When people have a more balanced life, they have a better life,” said Pradeepa Korale-Gedara.
“They experience less stress, can focus on more nutritious foods, and participate in more physical activity.”
The international research, presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026) held in Istanbul this year, compared working patterns and obesity prevalence for 33 OECD countries, including the UK, from 1990 to 2022.
It has been revealed that obesity rates are also higher in countries such as the USA, Mexico and Colombia, where annual working hours are longer.
But reducing annual working hours by just 1 percent was associated with a 0.16 percent decrease in obesity rates.
However, the study only shows an association and does not prove that longer working hours cause obesity, as income levels from different countries may also be a factor.
Higher income levels were linked to lower obesity rates; A 1 percent increase in GDP per capita was associated with a 0.112 percent decrease in obesity.
Living in urban areas also plays a role; A 1 percent increase in urbanization is associated with a 0.02 percent decrease in obesity.
As of 2022, among the 30 OECD countries, the country with the highest adult obesity rate was the USA with 41.99 percent, while the country with the lowest was Japan with 5.54 percent.
Many countries, including Chile, Mexico, and New Zealand, exhibit high obesity rates exceeding 30 percent, while some European countries, particularly in Northern and Western Europe, maintain rates below 20 percent. However, the United Kingdom is between these extremes with 26.8 percent.
Britain has one of the worst obesity rates in Europe. Around 3.8 million children aged 5 to 19 in the UK have a high BMI; This is nearly twice the number of overweight or obese children in France and Italy.
“The findings suggest that the relationship between working hours and obesity is complex and influenced by a variety of socioeconomic and cultural factors,” the study authors wrote.
“These patterns point to potential mechanisms such as reduced time available for physical activity, increased work-related stress, and greater dependence on energy-dense convenience foods.
“Higher GDP per capita, greater urbanization, and higher food prices were negatively associated with adult obesity prevalence, suggesting that improved economic conditions, more supportive urban environments, and higher food costs may facilitate healthier dietary choices.”
