Little sleep for Chinese youngsters

China's kids seem to be having a tough time of it. While obesity rates are reportedly rising, a new report claims kids under six years old in the country now get less sleep and less quality time with their parents than most other kids of their age in the world.

The "early childhood education service provider" Gymboree China said Chinese kids under six get an average of nine hours, 15 minutes sleep per day -- the third lowest amount in the world and below the global average of 10 hours and nine minutes.

The average of 12 hours the Chinese kids spent with at least one of their parents daily (including sleeping) was the lowest in the world, a long way behind Canada, where the figure was 23 hours.

The survey found around 53 percent of Chinese children were being raised by grandparents or babysitters as both parents are out working.

MS

  • Best and worst sugar substitutes Fri, May 17, 2013

    Sugar has earned a bad reputation for being bad for your heart, your brain and your waistline. Because of this, there have been many attempts to market sugar substitutes. Some are useful, but some More »

  • Why go through a preventive double mastectomy? Fri, May 17, 2013

    Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie announced she has had both her breasts removed in February to reduce her high genetic risk of breast cancer. The surgery, called double mastectomy, brought down her More »

  • Top 8 lucrative routes for taxi drivers Fri, May 17, 2013

    For a taxi driver, a key survival skill is knowing where to find customers. As far as possible, a driver should know the routes at his or her fingertips. Hence, in this 6th instalment of Taxi Talks, More »

Loading...
  • Teo Ho Pin presses WP's Sylvia Lim for answers

    Teo Ho Pin presses WP's Sylvia Lim for answers

    Teo Ho Pin presses WP's Sylvia Lim for answers

    Worker's Party Chairman Sylvia Lim has challenged Dr Teo Ho Pin to make a report to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) if he believes that the WP had mismanaged the Town Council.

  • Some Chinese tourists 'uncivilised': top official

    Some Chinese tourists 'uncivilised': top official

    Some Chinese tourists 'uncivilised': top official

    The dire manners and "uncivilised behaviour" of some Chinese tourists abroad are harming the country's image, said a top official who lamented their poor "quality and breeding", according to state-run media.

  • Canadian astronaut wrestles with gravity after spaceflight

    Canadian astronaut wrestles with gravity after spaceflight

    Canadian astronaut wrestles with gravity after spaceflight

    By Irene Klotz CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Back on Earth, Canadian astronaut and cyberspace tweeter Chris Hadfield is getting a rough re-introduction to gravity after a five-month stint aboard the International Space Station, the former commander told reporters during a video webcast from Houston. Hadfield became a social media rock star with his zero-gravity version of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and a continuous stream of commentary on Twitter about his life in orbit. But living without gravity for five months has left him feeling dizzy, weak and prematurely aged. ...

Featured Blogs

  • Sugar has earned a bad reputation for being bad for your heart, your brain and your waistline. Because of this, there have been many attempts to market sugar substitutes. Some are useful, but some are even worse than the original … Continue reading →

  • Health Xchange

    Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie announced she has had both her breasts removed in February to reduce her high genetic risk of breast cancer. The surgery, called double mastectomy, brought down her risk from 87 per cent to about 5 per … Continue reading →

  • For a taxi driver, a key survival skill is knowing where to find customers. As far as possible, a driver should know the routes at his or her fingertips. Hence, in this 6th instalment of Taxi Talks, I would like … Continue reading →

  • For three decades he smiled and waved at Singaporeans from his spot on billboards, posters and brochures. He was dedicated to his task of making Singapore a kinder, more courteous place for everyone to live in, regardless of whether he … Continue reading →

  • Top five career moves for Singa the Lion
    Top five career moves for Singa the Lion

    There’s nothing quite like death to make a point. Even when it comes to telling Singaporeans how ungracious they are. Call it clever marketing or whatever, terminating (via resignation that is) “Singa the Lion” has certainly worked for its zookeepers … Continue reading →