A poor work-life balance could make it harder to keep the weight off, according to a study that suggests people who work longer hours are more likely to be obese. More time spent working at a desk can mean less time spent exercising. Long, extended working hours may also contribute to stress-related eating and elevated cortisol levels – both of which are associated with weight gain , researchers explained. “When people have a more balanced life, they have a better life,” said Dr Pradeepa Korale-Gedara of the University of Queensland, Australia, who is the lead author of the study. “They have less stress, they can focus on more nutritious food and engage in more physical activities.” The international study presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026) in Istanbul compared working patterns and obesity prevalence for 33 OECD countries, including the UK, from 1990 to 2022.…