(image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent study showed that people with longer working hours are more likely to have bad life habits, including heavy smoking and drinking, that could have a negative impact on their health.
A joint research team from the Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital and the Seoul National University Hospital analyzed the correlation between average weekly working hours and health-related life habits for 6,937 wage workers on the basis of data from the Korea Health Panel (2011 to 2014).
The study revealed that those who work longer than 52 hours a week were 21 percent more likely to smoke and 12 percent more likely to have a high risk drinking level.
Compared to others working 40 hours a week, those who work longer than 52 hours a week were 20 percent less likely to do regular exercise, with their daily sleeping hours being 2.8 percent shorter.
The research team concluded that those with long working hours tend to attempt to reduce their stress through smoking and drinking rather than through sufficient sleeping or regular exercise.
“Long working hours can become a harmful factor with a negative impact on all aspects of one’s life,” said Kang Mo-yeol, a professor at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital who participated in the study.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
