Over 60-percent of children and teens in China lack of sleep: report

Local residents in sleepwear in Changsha, Hunan province, join a welfare campaign in 2015, educating the public of importance of having a good sleep. [File Photo:VCG]

More than 60-percent of children and teens in China sleep less than eight hours each night, which may put their health at risk, according to a report released by the Chinese Sleep Research Society.

The report follows a survey conducted at the end of last year and in January among nearly 70-thousand people, including over 65,000 students and 2000 parents.

The school homework load and wide use of electronic devices were the two top causes for children's inadequate sleep. Other factors, such as noise and light pollution and parents' improper sleep habits also exert an impact on children.

Gao Xuemei, vice-president of the society, said studies have shown that decreasing sleeping time for children and teenagers has been a global trend in the past 10 years, but the problem appears to be worse in East Asia, including China.

Inadequate sleep time for children may lead to depression, bad temper, poor memory, difficulties in concentration and excessive anxiety before exams.

Among the children with poor sleep, 45.9-percent were found to have low immunity levels and prone to suffering from colds, compared to 16.7-percent of youngsters with excellent sleep.

40.5-percent of children with poor sleep quality tend to suffer from neurasthenia or depression, and 36.5-percent of children with poor sleep quality are usually found with obesity.

The report was released ahead of World Sleep Day on March 21, which aims to educate the public of the importance of good sleep among youngsters.

The theme of this year's Sleep Day in China is "Healthy sleep, good brain health".

The undated picture shows a young man sleeping on his cart which he also uses as a booth to sell things. [File Photo:VCG]