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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A new study found that 72% of Brazilian high schoolers suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) — and it's not just about late bedtimes. Smartphone addiction was the single strongest risk factor, followed by severe depressive symptoms and daily ultra-processed food consumption. Researchers say EDS may be a key signal of broader mental and behavioral health struggles in teens.
A population-based study of over 1,600 Brazilian adolescents found that nearly three-quarters met criteria for excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) — a rate that outpaces many international comparisons. Published in Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, the study highlights that EDS in teens isn't simply about not getting enough sleep; it's deeply intertwined with behavioral and mental health risk factors that clinicians can actively screen for and address.
Smartphone addiction emerged as the strongest independent predictor of EDS, followed by severe depressive symptoms, daily ultra-processed food intake, and physical inactivity. Female students and those attending morning or full-time school shifts were also disproportionately affected — a finding that adds to ongoing discussions about later school start times as a public health tool.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: EDS in adolescents is increasingly recognized as a marker of broader neuropsychiatric and behavioral vulnerability — not just a sleep complaint. For clinicians, these findings support integrating sleep screening into mental health and lifestyle counseling for teen patients.
