Chinese school children sleep 9.1 hours a day -- almost an hour less than the government-recommended minimum, according to a new survey.

 

In the cities, 71.4 percent of the school children suffered from a lack of sufficient sleep, which Chinese health regulations set at 10 hours a day.

 

The survey of more than 20,000 children aged five to 11 in nine major cities, including Shanghai and Guangzhou, was carried out by the child health research center of Shanghai Jiaotong University medical school.

 

"Sleep insufficiency could result in health problems among school children and trigger a wide range of behavioral and psychological problems, as well as endocrine problems and inadequate immunity," said Shen Xiaoming, director of the Shanghai education commission.

 

The survey showed that excessive use of computers, too much homework and a lack of their own bedroom were all factors affecting children's sleep.

 

Since 2001, World Sleep Day has been marked on March 21.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2007)