A new study presented at the European Congress on Obesity linked longer working hours with higher obesity rates and rising work-related stress.
New research suggests that people who work longer hours may face a higher risk of obesity, with researchers linking overwork, sedentary lifestyles, chronic stress, and limited time for exercise and healthy eating habits to weight gain.
The findings were presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul and are currently under scientific review.
Supporting evidence from an Australian study also highlighted the impact of long working hours on body weight.
Researchers found that women working 10 hours above average weighed around 762 grams more, while men weighed approximately 1.34 kilograms more, with the effect becoming even more pronounced among workers in sedentary jobs(1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Working longer hours and body weight: An Australian study using household panel data (with measures of paid and unpaid time) to provide gender-specific estimates
Go to source).
The international analysis examined working patterns and obesity rates across 33 member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) between 1990 and 2022.
Researchers found that countries with longer annual working hours — including the United States, Mexico, and Colombia — also tended to report higher obesity rates despite some European countries consuming more calories and dietary fat on average.
Researchers emphasized that the study does not prove that long work hours directly cause obesity. However, they believe several work-related factors may contribute to weight gain, including:
- Reduced time for
exercise - Poor sleep patterns
- Chronic stress
- Reliance on
processed or convenience foods - Long periods of sitting during work
The researchers said modern work culture may be creating “time poverty,” where people become too exhausted or busy to maintain healthier lifestyles.
How Could Long Work Hours Contribute to Obesity?
The study found that reducing annual working hours by just 1% was associated with a 0.16% decrease in obesity rates across the countries analyzed.
Researchers suggested that longer work schedules may reduce time available for important health-promoting activities such as exercise, meal preparation, stress recovery, and sleep.
Lead researcher Pradeepa Korale-Gedara from the University of Queensland explained that chronic work stress may increase cortisol levels, a stress hormone associated with fat storage and weight gain.
She said: “When people have a more balanced life, they have a better life. They have less stress, they can focus on more nutritious food and engage in more physical activities.”
Researchers also noted that sedentary jobs may worsen the problem, as workers spend prolonged periods sitting with little physical movement throughout the day.
Additional evidence supporting this link came from a study published in SSM – Population Health, which examined long working hours and body weight in Australia.
The researchers found that people working long hours tended to have higher body weight, particularly in sedentary occupations.
Researchers further noted that unpaid domestic work and reduced discretionary time may worsen the effects because people have fewer opportunities to prioritize healthy routines.
Why Are Experts Linking Work-Life Balance With Public Health?
The findings have reignited debate around shorter work weeks and healthier work-life balance policies.
According to reports, nearly 200 companies in the United Kingdom have already adopted four-day work week models for employees. Supporters argue that shorter work weeks may improve:
James Reeves from the 4 Day Week Foundation said a four-day work week could help people “ditch bad habits and make healthier choices.”
Psychologist Rita Fontinha from the University of Reading also linked obesity to “time poverty,” explaining that people working very long hours often lack both time and energy to cook healthy meals or maintain regular exercise habits.
Researchers said overwork may push many people toward:
- Ultra-processed foods
- Packaged convenience meals
- Sedentary routines
- Stress-driven eating behaviors
These factors are increasingly being recognized as major contributors to obesity and metabolic disease globally.
However, UK government officials stated that there are currently no plans to mandate a national four-day work week policy.
Why Could Sedentary Work Become a Bigger Obesity Risk in India?
Researchers say rapidly growing sedentary occupations may also be contributing to India’s rising obesity burden.
A study published in BMC Public Health found high levels of abdominal obesity among Indian adults, particularly among people working in sedentary occupations(2✔ ✔Trusted Source
Sedentary work and expanding waistlines: a cross-sectional study on occupational roles and abdominal obesity in India
Go to source).
The study analyzed data from:
- Nearly 100,000 women
- More than 91,000 men across India
Researchers found that sedentary workers had significantly higher risk of abdominal obesity compared with people involved in more physically active jobs.
Among Indian men, abdominal obesity prevalence reached nearly 58% among sedentary workers. Women in sedentary occupations also showed higher obesity prevalence compared with those in non-sedentary work.
The researchers warned that rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles in India are contributing to:
- Increased desk-based employment
- Lower physical activity
- Higher processed food consumption
- More sedentary behavior
The study also noted that abdominal obesity — excess fat around the waist — is particularly dangerous because it is strongly linked to:
Public health experts say the findings highlight the growing need for healthier workplace policies, improved work-life balance, increased physical activity, and stronger awareness about sedentary lifestyles as obesity rates continue rising globally.
References:
- Working longer hours and body weight: An Australian study using household panel data (with measures of paid and unpaid time) to provide gender-specific estimates – (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827323002264)
- Sedentary work and expanding waistlines: a cross-sectional study on occupational roles and abdominal obesity in India – (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11849211/)
Source-Medindia