Trends in Sleep Duration Among Chinese Adults From 2010 to 2018

Background: Sleep duration is a critical component of sleep health, with both short (<7 hours) and long (>9 hours) sleep linked to various health issues. A survey indicated that sleep patterns among Chinese adults may be changing, but data on trends from 2010 to 2018 have not been thoroughly analyzed, creating a need for this research.

Method: This study employed a nationwide cross-sectional survey design with a sample size of over 150,000 adults aged 18 years and older. Participants were surveyed about their average sleep duration and associated lifestyle factors. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess trends in sleep duration over the specified period.

Results: Findings revealed an increase in the prevalence of short sleep duration from 29% in 2010 to 33% in 2018 and a rise in long sleep duration from 8% to 12% during the same period. Age-adjusted odds ratios indicated a significant increase in the odds of short sleep duration (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.10 - 1.21, P<0.001) while factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status were also significant predictors of sleep duration.

Conclusion: The rising trends of both short and long sleep durations among Chinese adults underscore critical public health implications, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to promote optimal sleep patterns. These findings highlight the necessity of further research integrating larger samples and longitudinal designs to validate these trends.

Original citation address: https://www.besjournal.com/en/article/doi/10.3967/bes2025.093