Researchers at a Palestinian university wanted to understand how many college students have trouble focusing and staying still—symptoms of ADHD. They surveyed 402 students and found that about 3 in 10 showed signs of ADHD. The study discovered that students with ADHD symptoms often had poor sleep, didn’t exercise much, ate unhealthy diets, and felt stressed or anxious. This research suggests that colleges should help students with sleep, exercise, and mental health support to improve their ability to concentrate and succeed in school.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How common are attention and focus problems among college students, and what lifestyle habits and mental health issues are connected to these problems?
- Who participated: 402 college students (mostly women) at AN-Najah National University in Palestine who completed an online survey about their health, sleep, exercise, diet, and ability to focus.
- Key finding: About 30 out of every 100 college students showed signs of ADHD. Students with ADHD symptoms were more likely to have poor sleep, not exercise regularly, feel anxious or stressed, and have other health problems.
- What it means for you: If you’re a college student struggling to focus, it may help to improve your sleep schedule, exercise more, eat healthier foods, and talk to someone about stress or anxiety. However, only a doctor can diagnose ADHD—this study only looked at symptoms.
The Research Details
This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of college students at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. Students completed an online questionnaire that asked about their background, medical history, sleep quality, exercise habits, diet, mental health, and whether they had trouble focusing or sitting still. The researchers used specific tools to measure each area: a sleep quality checklist, an exercise questionnaire, a Mediterranean diet checklist, a mental health screening tool, and an ADHD symptom checklist. All 402 students answered the same questions, and researchers then looked for patterns between ADHD symptoms and other factors like sleep, exercise, diet, and mental health.
This approach is useful for finding connections between different health factors and ADHD symptoms. By looking at many students at the same time, researchers can see which lifestyle habits and health issues are most common among those with ADHD symptoms. This helps identify areas where colleges could provide better support.
The study’s strengths include a decent sample size (402 students) and the use of validated questionnaires that have been tested in other research. However, the study relied on students’ self-reports rather than doctor evaluations, so some answers may not be completely accurate. The sample was mostly female (85%), so results may not apply equally to male students. Because this is a snapshot study, we can’t prove that poor sleep causes ADHD—only that they occur together.
What the Results Show
Nearly 30% of the college students surveyed showed signs of ADHD based on their answers to screening questions. This is higher than some other studies, suggesting ADHD symptoms may be common among Palestinian university students. Students with ADHD symptoms were significantly more likely to have chronic health conditions like diabetes or asthma. They also tended to be younger within the college population. The connection between ADHD symptoms and poor sleep was particularly strong—students who reported bad sleep habits were much more likely to show ADHD symptoms. Students with ADHD symptoms also scored worse on mental health measures, meaning they reported more anxiety, stress, or depression.
The study found that physical activity levels and diet quality were also connected to ADHD symptoms, though the exact strength of these connections wasn’t detailed in the abstract. Students with ADHD symptoms were less likely to follow a Mediterranean diet (which is considered healthy) and less likely to exercise regularly. These findings suggest that multiple lifestyle factors cluster together in students with ADHD symptoms.
ADHD prevalence rates vary widely across different countries and populations, ranging from 5% to 15% in adults. This study’s finding of 30% is notably higher, which could reflect differences in how ADHD was measured, the specific population studied, or actual differences in ADHD prevalence among Palestinian students. The connection between sleep problems and ADHD symptoms aligns with previous research showing that poor sleep is common in people with ADHD.
This study has several important limitations. First, it relied on students’ self-reported answers rather than professional medical diagnoses, so some students may have overestimated or underestimated their symptoms. Second, the sample was 85% female, so the results may not apply equally to male students. Third, because this is a snapshot study, we cannot determine whether poor sleep causes ADHD symptoms or whether ADHD symptoms cause poor sleep—only that they occur together. Fourth, the study was conducted at one university in Palestine, so results may not apply to students in other countries or regions with different healthcare systems and cultures.
The Bottom Line
College students who struggle to focus should consider: (1) improving sleep habits by keeping a consistent bedtime and wake time, (2) exercising regularly (at least 150 minutes per week), (3) eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and (4) seeking help for stress or anxiety through counseling services. These changes may help improve focus and overall well-being. However, if focus problems are severe, students should see a doctor for proper evaluation and diagnosis. Confidence level: Moderate—these recommendations are supported by this study and general health research, but individual results vary.
College students who struggle to concentrate, feel restless, or have trouble organizing their work should pay attention to these findings. Parents of college students may also find this helpful for understanding their child’s challenges. Educators and university administrators should care because this research suggests colleges need better mental health and wellness support systems. People who have already been diagnosed with ADHD should not assume this study applies to them—they should follow their doctor’s advice.
Improvements in sleep and mental health may help with focus within 2-4 weeks. Building consistent exercise habits typically takes 4-8 weeks to show benefits. Major improvements in overall well-being and academic performance may take 2-3 months of consistent lifestyle changes.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track sleep quality and duration daily (aim for 7-9 hours), exercise minutes weekly (goal: 150 minutes), and mood/stress levels on a 1-10 scale. Also track focus/concentration during study sessions to see if improvements in sleep and exercise correlate with better focus.
- Set a daily reminder to go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual, schedule three 30-minute exercise sessions per week, and add one Mediterranean diet element to each meal (like olive oil, vegetables, or whole grains). Use the app to log these activities and see patterns over time.
- Review weekly summaries of sleep, exercise, and mood to identify patterns. If focus problems persist after 8 weeks of lifestyle improvements, flag this in the app as a reminder to consult a healthcare provider for professional evaluation.
This study describes patterns among college students and does not diagnose ADHD. ADHD can only be diagnosed by a qualified healthcare professional through comprehensive evaluation. If you or someone you know experiences persistent difficulty focusing, staying organized, or controlling impulses, please consult a doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist for proper assessment. This research suggests lifestyle improvements may help with focus, but should not replace professional medical treatment. Always discuss any concerns about attention or mental health with a qualified healthcare provider before making significant changes to your routine.