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Sleep

Sleep

Sleep is crucial for physical development and mental health of children and youth. Ongoing sleep deprivation can result in difficulties in concentration, shortened attention span, memory impairment and affect the academic performance. On the other hand, sleeping problem can also be a symptom of physical or mental health problems. While the amount of sleep someone needs varies from person to person and with his/her age, the optimal amount of sleep needed for school-aged children and adolescents is at least 10 hours a day as the National Institutes of Health of United States recommends.
 
 
Local Statistics on Sleeping Hours among Youth
 
(1) Proportion of youth aged 13 to 19 by number of sleeping hours per day and by sex, in 2008 and 2011/12  
 
 

 

2008*

2011/12*

 

<6 hours

6 to <9 hours

9 hours

<6 hours

6 to <9 hours

9 hours

Male

During school days

11.3%

80.1%

8.7%

8.8%

81.1%

10.2%

During non-school days

2.9%

29.7%

67.4%

Female

During school days

15.8%

76.0%

8.2%

14.4%

80.2%

5.4%

During non-school days

0.6%

23.5%

75.8%

Overall

During school days

13.5%

78.0%

8.4%

11.5%

80.6%

7.8%

During non-school days

1.8%

26.7%

71.5%

 
Note: 
*   Weighted figures (based on 13-19 years old samples)
  • As there were differences in research methodology for surveys in different years, direct comparison of the data has to be done with caution. 
 
Sources of data: 
Consultancy Study on Sport for All – Participation Patterns of Hong Kong People in Physical Activities. Summary Report. Hong Kong SAR: Leisure and Cultural Services Department; 2009
Healthy Exercise for All Campaign – Physical Fitness Test for the Community. Final Summary Report. Hong Kong SAR: Leisure and Cultural Services Department; 2012