All ethnic groups said they missed work or family functions because they were too sleepy, with the percentage ranging up to 24%, according to a 2010 "Sleep in America" survey by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF).Some distinct differences are listed below:
On weekdays or workdays, African Americans reported they slept the least - 6 hours, 14 minutes, compared to 6 hours, 34 minutes for Hispanics, 6 hours, 48 minutes for Asians, and 6 hours, 52 minutes for Caucasians.
10% of African Americans and Hispanics reported having sex every night or nearly every night in the hour before bedtime, compared to 4% of Caucasians and 1% of Asians.
African Americans had different pre-bedtime activities and tended to pray in the hour before bedtime - 71% of them said they prayed but only 18% of Asians did so.
Asians were least likely to drink alcohol an hour before bed - a practice that many mistakenly think will help sleep. Only 1% of Asians had a nightcap every night or nearly every night, compared to 7% of whites, 4% of African Americans and Hispanics.
Caucasians were most likely to sleep with their pets - as well as more likely to sleep with their spouse or significant others: 16% of them say they sleep with a pet, and 72% say they sleep with their partners. In comparison, only 4% of Asians, 4% of Hispanics, and 2% of African Americans let the pet on the bed.
References:
The 2010 Sleep in America poll by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF).
Sleep Habits Vary by Ethnicity. WebMD, 2010.
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