Dublin, Ireland – A new study has found that more than half of Irish adults are not getting enough sleep, with the average person getting just six hours and 36 minutes of sleep per night. The study, conducted by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, surveyed over 8,000 adults aged 50 and over.
The study found that 55% of adults in Ireland reported poor sleep quality, with women more likely to report poor sleep than men. The study also found that those who reported poor sleep quality were more likely to have poor physical and mental health, as well as a lower quality of life.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Orna Donoghue, said that poor sleep quality is a common problem among adults in Ireland and can have serious consequences for health and wellbeing. She noted that poor sleep has been linked to a range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health issues.
The study also found that adults who reported poor sleep quality were more likely to have lower levels of physical activity, higher levels of sedentary behavior, and poorer diets. Dr. Donoghue said that these factors may contribute to poor sleep quality and that addressing them could help improve sleep.
The study’s findings highlight the need for interventions to improve sleep quality among adults in Ireland. Dr. Donoghue said that interventions could include education and awareness campaigns about the importance of sleep, as well as interventions to address factors that contribute to poor sleep quality.
The study’s authors also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to poor sleep quality among adults in Ireland. The pandemic has led to increased stress and anxiety, which can disrupt sleep. In addition, the pandemic has disrupted daily routines, which can also affect sleep.
The study’s findings have important implications for public health in Ireland. Poor sleep quality is a common problem that can have serious consequences for health and wellbeing. Addressing the factors that contribute to poor sleep quality could help improve health outcomes for adults in Ireland.
In conclusion, the study conducted by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing found that more than half of Irish adults are not getting enough sleep, with poor sleep quality linked to a range of health problems. Addressing factors that contribute to poor sleep quality could help improve health outcomes for adults in Ireland.
