A study by health economists at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and Newcastle University also revealed that more impatient people may be less likely to invest in activities with low levels of instant gratification such as exercise and healthy eating that help to promote a healthy weight.
Published in Social Science & Medicine journal, the study used data from over 15,500 individuals to explore the relationships between three measures of body fatness; Body Mass Index, percentage body fatness, and waist circumference, and amount of savings of an individual.
The study found links between being slim and having savings. Smaller waistlines are linked to higher savings, particularly for women.
The report said people should be taught the value of investing for the future – whether in saving or by healthy eating habits – rather than indulging their short-term desires.
GCU’s Dr Olga Biosca said: “Encouraging patience, formal education as well as financial education are not only effective ways of improving the savings rates of the population, but might also be key to reducing body fatness.
“Obesity is a global public health concern and, in the UK, approximately 25% of the population is classified as obese. Our results support the idea that there is a need for more holistic and indirect public health initiatives that attempt to influence behaviour if health inequalities are to be successfully tackled.”
Dr Biosca works within GCU’ Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, named in honour of Professor Muhammad Yunus, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to advance social and economic opportunities of the poor through work on microcredit. The Yunus Centre aims to improve the lives of individuals and communities through research in social business and microfinance and the economic evaluation of health interventions.
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