A longitudinal study indicates a positive correlation between prolonged working hours and increased rates of obesity, prompting a policy debate regarding the implementation of a four-day work week.

一項縱向研究指出，延長工作時間與肥胖率增加之間存在正相關，進而引發了關於實施四天工作制的政策辯論。

The research, conducted by Dr. Pradeepa Korale-Gedara of the University of Queensland and presented at the European Congress on Obesity, analyzed data from 33 OECD countries between 1990 and 2022. The findings demonstrate that a 1% reduction in annual labor hours is associated with a 0.16% decrease in obesity prevalence. This trend was observed globally, with higher obesity rates noted in nations characterized by longer working hours, such as the United States and various Latin American states, notwithstanding the higher caloric intake observed in Northern Europe.

該研究由昆士蘭大學的 Pradeepa Korale-Gedara 博士主導，並於歐洲肥胖症大會上發表，分析了 1990 年至 2022 年間 33 個 OECD 國家的數據。研究結果顯示，年勞動時數減少 1%，與肥胖盛行率下降 0.16% 相關。此趨勢在全球範圍內均可觀察到，在工作時間較長的國家（如美國及多個拉丁美洲國家）中，肥胖率較高，儘管北歐地區的熱量攝取量更高。

Physiological and systemic mechanisms are cited as primary drivers of this correlation. Dr. Korale-Gedara posits that occupational stress elevates cortisol levels, thereby facilitating adipose tissue accumulation. Furthermore, the increasing mechanization of manual labor in developed economies has reduced caloric expenditure during work hours, while 'time poverty'—as characterized by Dr. Rita Fontinha—constrains the capacity for nutritional meal preparation and physical activity.

生理與系統性機制被視為此相關性的主要驅動因素。Korale-Gedara 博士認為，職業壓力會提高皮質醇水平，從而促使脂肪組織累積。此外，發達經濟體中體力勞動的機械化程度增加，降低了工作時間內的熱量消耗，而 Rita Fontinha 博士所定義的「時間貧窮」則限制了準備營養餐食與進行身體活動的能力。

Stakeholder positioning remains polarized. Proponents, including the 4 Day Week Foundation, argue that a 20% reduction in working hours could potentially reduce the number of obese individuals in the UK by approximately 500,000 by facilitating healthier lifestyle choices. Conversely, the Institute of Economic Affairs, represented by Dr. Christopher Snowdon, contends that the UK's relatively low working hours relative to its high obesity rate render such claims dubious. Dr. Snowdon further suggests that a reduction in hours, if coupled with a decrease in remuneration, could exacerbate obesity due to the correlation between low income and poor health outcomes.

利害關係人的立場仍然兩極分化。包括「四天工作制基金會」在內的支持者主張，工作時間減少 20% 可透過促進更健康的生活方式，潛在減少英國約 50 萬名肥胖者。相反地，由 Christopher Snowdon 博士代表的經濟事務研究所則認為，英國相對於其高肥胖率而言，工作時間較短，使得此類主張令人懷疑。Snowdon 博士進一步指出，若減少時數伴隨薪資降低，可能會因低收入與健康狀況不佳的相關性而加劇肥胖問題。

Historically, the transition from a six-day to a five-day work week occurred approximately a century ago, influenced by labor movements and economic pressures during the Great Depression. Current advocates suggest that advancements in artificial intelligence may necessitate a similar structural shift. While Office for National Statistics data indicates that over 200,000 UK workers have transitioned to a four-day schedule since the pandemic, the current administration has explicitly declined to mandate a four-day week for five days' pay, opting instead to facilitate flexible working requests via the Employment Rights Act.

從歷史來看，從六天工作制轉向五天工作制發生在大約一個世紀前，受當時勞工運動及大蕭條時期的經濟壓力影響。目前的倡導者建議，人工智慧的進步可能會導致類似的結構性轉變。雖然國家統計局的數據顯示，自疫情以來已有超過 20 萬名英國勞工轉為四天工作制，但現任政府明確拒絕強制執行「四天工作、五天薪資」，而是選擇透過《僱傭權利法》來促進彈性工作申請。

While empirical data suggests a link between shorter working hours and reduced obesity, the feasibility of a mandated four-day week remains a point of contention between health advocates and economic critics.

雖然實證數據顯示縮短工作時間與降低肥胖率之間存在聯繫，但強制實施四天工作制的可能性，仍是健康倡導者與經濟評論家之間的爭論焦點。