14 DAY TRIAL // Monash University Center for Health Economics investigators found in a new study that middle-aged women who work longer hours are more likely to become overweight or obese as a result. The results apply to women who worked for more than 35 hours weekly.
In a paper published in the latest issue of the esteemed International Journal of Obesity, researchers explain that they analyzed data collected from 45-to-50-year-old women, all part of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health. A total of 9,276 participants were included.
“The study highlights the growing number of Australian women entering the workforce and the effects on their ability to maintain a healthy weight. Extended work hours may reduce the time spent preparing home-cooked meals, exercising and sleeping which are risk factors for obesity,” the investigators write.
At this point, obesity among middle-aged women is becoming a serious health problem in Australia, Science Blog reports. Official statistics indicate that more than 60 percent of all adults in the country are now either overweight or obese, a situation similar to that in the United States.