Working Hours and Weight

May 10, 2026, 22:01
AustraliaHealth

Introduction

People who work many hours often have more weight problems. Some people think a four-day work week can help.

Main Body

A doctor studied 33 countries. She found that people who work fewer hours are thinner. In the US, people work long hours and have more obesity. Stress from work makes the body store fat. Also, people do not have time to cook healthy food or exercise because they work too much. Some people want a four-day work week. They say it helps people be healthy. Other people disagree. They say less work means less money, and poor people often have bad health. Many workers in the UK now work four days. But the government will not force all companies to do this. They only want flexible work.

Conclusion

Short work weeks might help people lose weight, but some people still disagree about the plan.

Learning

πŸ’‘ The Power of 'MORE' and 'LESS'

In this text, we see how to compare things using simple words. This is key for A2 English.

1. More (Plus +)

  • More weight problems
  • More obesity
  • More money

2. Fewer / Less (Minus -)

  • Fewer hours (used for things you can count, like 1, 2, 3 hours)
  • Less work (used for general things you can't count)
  • Less money

How it works in the story: Work many hours β†’\rightarrow More weight problems Work fewer hours β†’\rightarrow Thinner people

Quick Vocabulary Guide:

  • Obesity β†’\rightarrow Very overweight
  • Flexible β†’\rightarrow Easy to change/adjust

Vocabulary Learning

obesity (n.)
the condition of being extremely overweight
Example:Obesity can lead to health problems.
stress (n.)
a feeling of tension or anxiety
Example:Work stress can affect your sleep.
store (v.)
to keep or accumulate
Example:The body stores fat when you eat too much.
healthy (adj.)
in good health; free from illness
Example:Eating fruits keeps you healthy.
exercise (n.)
physical activity that helps you stay fit
Example:Regular exercise improves heart health.
flexible (adj.)
able to bend or change easily
Example:A flexible schedule can reduce work hours.
government (n.)
the group that runs a country
Example:The government announced new policies.
companies (n.)
businesses that sell goods or services
Example:Many companies offer remote work.
plan (n.)
a set of actions to achieve a goal
Example:She made a plan to lose weight.
disagree (v.)
to have a different opinion
Example:They disagree about the new work week.