Longer Work Hours Linked to Diabetes in Women

Sticking to a working week of 30-40 hours may help reduce your risk of diabetes

Working 45 hours per week or more is linked to a heightened risk of diabetes in women, according to an observational study reported in the journal BMJ Diabetes Research & Care.

The increased risk was not found in women who worked 30 to 40 hours per week. Previous research has indicated such results, but most studies involved men.

The new study tracked more than 7,000 healthy Canadian workers in Ontario between the ages of 35 and 74 for a 12-year period and included influential factors such as sex, marital status, ethnicity, parenthood, health, lifestyle and weight, among others.

Long work hours could be linked to chronic stress, which may prompt an increase in hormonal reactions and insulin imbalances. The study may provide insight as global estimates suggest that 439 million adults will be living with diabetes within 12 years.