2026-05-14 12:00:31
A four-day working week could help slash obesity rates, reduce stress and even ease pressure on health services, experts claim.
Researchers found countries where people work the longest hours tend to have the highest obesity rates, despite shorter-working nations often eating less healthy diets.
The findings have sparked fresh calls for Britain to embrace a four-day week, with campaigners arguing it could help tackle the nation’s bulging waistlines.
Scientists from the University of Queensland, Australia, analysed working patterns and obesity rates across 33 OECD countries between 1990 and 2022.
They found that reducing annual working hours by just one per cent was linked to a 0.16 per cent drop in obesity rates.
Researcher Pradeepa Korale-Gedara said: “There are many ways that working hours could promote obesity besides convenience foods, which are obviously significant.
“For example, long hours could promote the stress hormone cortisol, which is associated with weight gain.
“When people have a more balanced life, they have less stress, they can focus on more nutritious food and engage in more physical activities.”
Experts believe long hours spent sitting down, combined with stress and reliance on takeaways, are fuelling the obesity crisis.
Around two thirds of UK adults are now overweight or obese, increasing risks of heart disease, diabetes, dementia and cancer.
Campaigners estimate moving 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, is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: “A full day week on full pay could slash Britain’s obesity levels by giving millions the time they need to ditch bad habits and make healthier choices.
“It’s essential that local and national governments seriously consider the role that a shorter working week can play in improving the health of our communities.
“The nine-to-five, five-day working week is 100 years old and we’re long overdue an update.”
Previous studies have also linked shorter working weeks to lower stress, better sleep and increased exercise.
But critics remain unconvinced.
Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, warned: “For most people, a four-day week would mean a lower income and we know that people on low incomes are more likely to be obese.”
A government spokesperson also confirmed ministers have no plans to force companies to introduce a four-day week with full pay.
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