Nearly One in Four Central Delhi Adolescents Sleep Deprived, Finds Study
Nearly one in four school-going adolescents in Central Delhi suffers from sleep deprivation, which is linked to lower academic scores and higher odds of depressive symptoms, according to a study published in the Indian Journal of Community Medicine in May 2026.
The study evaluated 1,452 students aged 12 to 18 across government, government-aided, and private schools in Central Delhi. Researchers found that 326 participants, or 22.5%, were sleep-deprived. Those suffering from inadequate sleep recorded an average academic score of 64%, compared with 67% among students who slept well.
The research was conducted jointly by experts from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, the National Health Systems Resource Centre, the Armed Forces Medical College, and the ICMR-Dr A S Paintal Distinguished Scientist Chair under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, defining poor sleep as a score above five or getting fewer than eight hours of rest per night.
Daytime fatigue was widespread among the students surveyed. Approximately 48.3% reported struggling to stay awake during the day at least once a week, while 6% faced this issue three or more times weekly.
The study identified a strong link between poor sleep and mental health challenges. Overall, 60% of the students, or 912 adolescents, reported depressive symptoms, comprising 32.9% with mild symptoms and 27% with moderate-to-severe symptoms. After adjusting for confounding factors, adolescents with depression were found to have 3.51 times higher odds of being sleep-deprived than those without depressive symptoms.
Better sleep hygiene practices were associated with significantly lower odds of sleep deprivation and fewer depressive symptoms. Cognitive assessments showed that nearly 66% of the participants had poor cognitive function, though cognitive scores were linked to socioeconomic status rather than sleep deprivation directly.
Most participants came from lower-middle-class (46.3%) and upper-lower-class (38.2%) backgrounds. While family structure and body mass index did not significantly alter sleep deprivation risks after adjustment, researchers noted that lifestyle factors, irregular routines, and screen exposure play key roles. The authors emphasized the need for school-based interventions involving teachers and parents to promote sleep hygiene and mental well-being.
