A pproximately two-thirds of UK adults are overweight or living with obesity , increasing the risk of conditions such as heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes . New research suggests lower working hours could be linked to a decrease in obesity rates – leading to renewed calls for a four-day work week.

But why might working less lead to weight loss ? Surely keeping people busy at their jobs is an effective encouragement to eat less, move more and achieve a calorie deficit?

Not so, according to the research presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul. Authors found that a 1 per cent reduction in annual working hours was associated with a 0.16 per cent reduction in obesity rates in the countries studied.

One explanation is that jobs are becoming more sedentary and energy-dense foods are often at hand when we’re in the office .…