From September 6 to 8, the 16th National Academic Annual Conference of the Chinese Sleep Research Society took place in Wuhan, Hubei Province, attracting nearly 10,000 experts, scholars, and medical professionals from China and beyond. The conference provided a platform to explore the latest advancements, challenges, and future trends in sleep medicine.
A key focus was the growing concern over sleep deprivation among adolescents, with numerous experts engaging in case discussions and specialized presentations.
The recently published “2024 White Paper on Sleep Health of Chinese Residents,” by the Chinese Sleep Research Society, reveals troubling insights. Respondents, comprising students, office workers, and retirees, frequently reported poor sleep quality and low overall sleep scores. Alarmingly, young people, especially those born after 2000, are primarily responsible for late-night wakefulness, with an average bedtime of 12:33 AM. Furthermore, the student demographic averages less than 8 hours of sleep each night.
Huang Zhili, Chairman of the Chinese Sleep Research Society and a well-respected professor at Fudan University, explained that different age groups require varying amounts of sleep. “Preschool children need over 13 hours, elementary school students require about 10 hours, middle schoolers should get 9 hours, high school students are recommended 8 hours, and adults need at least 7 hours,” he stated. He added, “While sleeping too much isn’t ideal, the consequences of inadequate sleep are far more serious.”
Experts at the conference examined potential causes of adolescents’ inadequate sleep. Some attribute slight improvements to recent educational policies aimed at relieving students from excessive extracurricular training. Extended break times in certain areas also provide some respite for students. However, the persistent academic pressure continues to affect their sleep. As students progress through their education, the intensity of their workload increases, pushing them to sleep later and wake earlier, which ultimately reduces their total sleep duration.
Academician Lu Lin, from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of Peking University Sixth Hospital, has conducted extensive surveys involving 40,000 participants. He believes that adolescents suffer from sleep deprivation because “they spend too much time on homework and electronic devices.”
The white paper highlights striking statistics: only 29% of students go to bed before midnight, while 52% sleep between midnight and 2 AM, and a staggering 19% stay awake past 2 AM.
Sharing his observations, Professor Xiong Nian from Huazhong University of Science and Technology’s Tongji Medical College emphasized the importance of sleep for mental recovery, immune function, memory, and growth. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation among young people has become a societal issue.
Experts noted a trend where many young individuals engage in “revenge gaming” or binge-watch shows late at night as a way to reclaim personal time lost during the day. For busy students, nighttime often becomes the only free time available, turning their bedrooms into vibrant “cities that never sleep.” The bright screens of smartphones disrupt melatonin production, significantly impacting their sleep cycles.
Professor Huang warned that severe sleep disorders can lead to physical health issues and substantially affect mental well-being. Alarmingly, anxiety and depression rates among children and teenagers have surged, closely linked to academic, social, and family pressures.
Lu Lin highlighted the urgent need for a shift in societal attitudes towards sleep within the education system. He advocates for reduced screen time, increased physical activity, and improved peer interactions to foster healthy growth. “If young people can’t grow up healthy and happy, then their education and success will be like a tree without roots and a river without a source,” he remarked.
Another significant issue discussed was snoring and sleep apnea. Professor Wang Tao from Huazhong University of Science and Technology pointed out that about 33% of the post-90s and post-00s demographics are at high risk for sleep apnea, with an additional 67% at lower risk.
“Many are aware that snoring often correlates with obesity, which is a major contributing factor,” Wang stated. He disclosed that nearly one-fifth of adolescents in China are overweight or obese, and the adult obesity rate is approximately twice that.
Wang recommended that those who snore due to excessive weight should focus on managing their weight and increasing physical activity, as weight loss can significantly alleviate snoring severity. “If someone experiences breathing pauses during sleep and wakes up suddenly, or if a family member has to shake them awake, that’s a strong indication of sleep apnea, and further assessment should be considered.”
For young individuals in school or work, making the most of their lunch breaks is essential for improving sleep quality. Professor Huang suggests limiting naps to under 30 minutes, as longer naps can negatively affect nighttime sleep and afternoon productivity, potentially increasing dementia risk.
With hectic daytime schedules, more young people are turning to “nighttime workouts” to improve their sleep. Although local gyms and parks are bustling in the evenings, unstructured exercise routines can disrupt rather than enhance sleep.
Professor Xiong advises on the proper timing and intensity of workouts: “It’s generally recommended to engage in moderate aerobic exercise before dinner, as intense workouts too late at night can actually degrade sleep quality. If your exercise routine is impacting your energy levels the next day, it’s time to reassess it.”
A highlight of the conference was the release of the second edition of the “Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for Insomnia Disorders in China,” presented by chief editor Professor Zhang Bin from Southern Medical University. He noted that the updated edition revises the classification and diagnostic criteria for insomnia while enhancing clinical treatment guidelines, elevating the overall standards of sleep medicine in the country.
