Mental health and obesity among the unemployed

The shorter the time between leaving employment and retirement the more difficult it is for job seekers to find work. The high costs for employers and the physical limitations that often come with age mean that there is a reluctance to hire these workers. There has long been a link between socially disadvantaged groups and poor health behaviour. The question of whether unemployment leads to weight gain was therefore included in this study. Self-efficacy which acts as a protective factor was examined to see whether it can compensate for a decline in health-conscious lifestyle. Job seekers over the age of 45 volunteered to participate in this exciting research study.