Prema Uppal, New Delhi: And now research points out that it isn't just the adults who are getting less sleep but children as well. They are sleeping less by almost an hour everyday.

Children in India are sleeping an hour less everyday, say paediatrician.

According to the national sleep foundation - kids between 3-5 years require 11-13 hours of sleep every night. Those between 5-12 years need to sleep 10-11 hours/night.

And teenagers need 9.25 hours of sleep every night. Senior Paediatrician Dr Rahul Nagpal says, “Kids who are sleeping less are prone to obesity and other hormonal disturbances.”

Children who sleep fewer numbers of hours have problems concentrating on tasks during the day, have trouble memorising, are irritable, or sad and even depressed.

Some health implications of sleep deprivation are: Lowered IQ to increased risk of injuries to development of ADHD, heart problems and high BP.

Kids are spending lesser number of hours outdoors. Sixty six per cent of urban kids lead a sedentary lifestyle, according to a Diabetes Control Society report.

Playtime outside has been replaced either by the television or video games. But these problems are easily set right. “The child should not have caffeine before bed time and I think the best way still is bed time stories, “ Nagpal adds.

But if the child's sleep continues to be disturbed after these measures, it may be that the child has a sleeping or medical disorder. So it would be a good idea to consult your doctor.