While there are more complaints about sleep deprivation, more and more American adults are sleeping more than 9 hours, according to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Between 1970 and 2007, the percentage of study participants who reported more than 9 hours of sleep per night increased from 28 percent. (in 1985) to 37 percent. (in 2007). This trend was observed both on weekdays and weekends.
Moreover, the percentage of people who sleep less than six hours a night has fallen – from 11%. in 1985 to 9 percent. in 2007, the researchers found. This puts the current thesis on + sleep-deprived society + on its head, we read in the study’s description.
There is a lot of talk about society getting too little sleep, but no emphasis on too much sleep. Meanwhile, studies show that sleeping more than 9 hours a night is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, thinking problems and premature death, the researchers said.
A new study from the University of Sydney analyzed data from 10 countries. Participants had to record how much time they spend per day on various activities. The study covered a total of over three decades.
A similar trend as in America was also observed in Australia, Finland, Sweden and Great Britain. The proportion of people who slept more fell only in Canada and Italy. Sweden and the United Kingdom also had fewer people who slept for less than six hours, while Italy and Norway had increased their numbers.
As reminded by the epidemiologist, prof. Diane S. Lauderdale of the University of Chicago, it is unclear whether long sleep is responsible for health problems or just a sign of disease such as depression. It is possible that people who declared a long rest simply had problems with sleep and therefore stayed in bed longer. (PAP)
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