In a wake-up call for sleepy adults, Flinders University researchers say nearly one-third are not getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night. 

This finding places a significant portion of the population at risk of various health conditions, suggesting an urgent need for public health interventions to promote better sleep habits.

The global research, which analysed sleep tracker data from almost 68,000 adults, has been published in the journal Sleep Health. 

It revealed that only a mere 15 per cent of participants managed to sleep within the ideal range for five or more nights per week. 

“Regularly not sleeping enough – or possibly too much – are associated with ill effects and we are only just realising the consequences of irregular sleep,” says researcher Dr Hannah Scott.

The study's data, collected through an under-mattress sensor, spanned a nine-month period, offering a comprehensive view of sleep patterns worldwide. 

The implications of sleep deprivation extend beyond mere tiredness; insufficient sleep, particularly less than six hours per night, is linked to a heightened mortality risk and a host of health issues such as hypertension, obesity, and heart disease.

Interestingly, the research also uncovered demographic variations in sleep duration, with female participants generally achieving longer sleep than males, and middle-aged individuals reporting shorter sleep durations compared to younger or older demographics.

Professor Danny Eckert, a co-author of the study and a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) leadership fellow, has called for increased public health efforts to support better sleep practices. 

To combat the widespread issue of sleep deprivation, Flinders University's sleep researchers have offered several practical tips. These include maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, prioritising sleep even with unavoidable commitments like shift work, and watching for symptoms of insufficient sleep. They also recommend consulting a general practitioner if concerns about sleep persist, as treatment options for sleep disorders are readily available.

Additionally, the study highlighted the link between regular snoring and hypertension, further underscoring the complex relationship between sleep habits and overall health.