Association of long working hours with visceral adiposity index, anthropometric indices, and weight management behaviors: a study of Korean workers.

This study examines the association between long working hours and measures of visceral adiposity, anthropometric indices, and weight management behaviors among 32,373 Korean adult workers. Using the Chinese Visceral Adiposity Index (CVAI) alongside body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and body roundness index (BRI), the study found that working ≥ 55 hours per week was significantly associated with higher values in all these indices compared to working 35–40 hours per week. Additionally, those working long hours were less likely to engage in exercise for weight management, although associations with diet control and medication use were unclear. The findings suggest that extended working hours may contribute to increased visceral fat and obesity risk, partly due to reduced engagement in physical activity, highlighting the need for workplace and policy interventions to address health risks related to overwork.