One In Five Adolescents In Delhi Sleep Deprived

Time of India

03-06-2025

New Delhi: Are you a youngster and sleepless in Delhi? Well, you aren't alone. One in five adolescents in the city is experiencing clinical sleep deprivation, according to a new study.
The findings emerged from research jointly conducted by doctors at Sir Gangaram Hospital's Institute of Child Health and the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC). The assessment involved students from nine educational institutions located in central Delhi.
The study, involving 1,521 students aged 12-18 years, found that 22.5% had insufficient sleep while 60% showed depressive symptoms, indicating an urgent need for mental health support.
Academic scores differed significantly, with sleep-deprived students achieving 64% versus 67% among well-rested students. Moreover, 65.7% of the participants experienced mild to moderate cognitive challenges, showing the impact of poor sleep on academic achievement.
Dr Latika Bhalla, senior consultant adolescent paediatrician at Institute of Child Health told TOI that proper sleep is crucial for learning capabilities and emotional regulation.
Sleep deficit, she noted, could result in reduced academic performance and psychological challenges.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), sleep deprivation is "a condition where one doesn't get enough sleep to support optimal health, alertness and functioning". The current findings confirm that insufficient sleep adversely affects academic results, mental health and daily activities.
Dr Bhalla indicated that the study's findings were significant and concerning, particularly regarding the high prevalence of depressive indicators and sleep insufficiency in adolescents.
The study, she said, is a pioneering effort to enable evidence-based discussion about effects of sleep patterns on cognitive, emotional and physical well-being among school-going youth.
Highlighting India's lack of proper sleep education programmes or policies for teenagers, Dr Bhalla said the research offers evidence-based suggestions to address this gap. The findings were presented to the health ministry on Friday.
Researchers suggested training teachers and counsellors about adolescent sleep and screentime impact, displaying the Tele-MANAS helpline in schools, training Ayushma Arogya Mandir teams in sleep counselling, and implementing digital detox drives for fixed routines and screen curfews. They also recommended encouraging physical activity through Khelo India and supporting delayed school start times aligned with adolescent biology.
The suggestions included incorporating sleep education into school curricula, such as sleep health modules in NCERT's secondary and senior secondary programmes, covering sleep importance, deprivation effects, common disorders, and good sleep practices.
The researchers recommended conducting sessions to help educators recognise sleep issues and understand their health and academic impact, providing them with early intervention and referral strategies, and enabling teachers as 'sleep sentinels' to encourage healthy sleep habits.
Moreover, they suggested that educators monitor daytime sleepiness indicators, including in-class drowsiness, reduced academic performance and behavioural changes, and share their observations during parent-teacher meetings. To highlight any concerns that may attention, they can include a 'red flag' section.
Dr Sanjay Manchanda, chairman of department of sleep medicine at Sir Gangaram Hospital, observed that adolescent sleep problems often indicate future adult sleep disorders, stating, "Not thinking of sleep as essential is the biggest disorder."
He supported policy changes regarding school timings, citing global studies and the report's suggestion to adjust school hours to match adolescent sleep patterns. He emphasised that early-life sleep disruptions can have enduring neurocognitive effects.
Dr Aashima Dabas, professor in the department of paediatrics, MAMC and Lok Nayak Hospital, said late-night screen use and binge-watching, which disrupt natural rhythms and affect cognitive function, can disturb sleep cycles. She also noted that current schedules hinder alert, productive mornings.
Dr Deepak Kumar, professor and head of psychiatry, IHBAS, observed that adolescent sleep issues often develop into adult mental health problems and require early intervention.