44% of Americans suffer from sleep disorders, according to an American study to be published in Consumer Reports in the month of September. According to research from 1,466 adults, nearly half of Americans have trouble falling asleep, or wake up at night at least eight nights a month. A figure to be compared with the 45% of French people who do not sleep enough, according to the National Institute for Prevention and Education for Health (Inpes).
The French are even 12% to say they suffer from insomnia, in particular because of work and stress. The study, conducted among 1,004 people aged 25 to 45, in December 2007, indicates that 17% of French people say they accumulate “a chronic sleep debt”, and say they sleep on average 5:48 hours, while the national average is 7 hours.
Different studies have shown that lack of sleep can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, concentration problems, as well as accidental risks associated with fatigue. Stress, but also watching television very late at night, can cause sleep problems.
