Hyperactivity among Middle-Class Children in Ulaanbaatar

Abstract

Childhood mental health is a global concern, yet most affected children do not receive care, and research in Mongolia remains limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and related factors of hyperactivity among 10–11-year-old students in Ulaanbaatar. A total of 2,046 students were assessed using standardized caregiver questionnaires, and hyperactivity was classified as normal, borderline, or pathological. Hyperactivity was identified in 18.7% of children, with boys comprising 66% of the cases (p<0.0001). Higher screen time and not attending sports clubs were significantly associated with hyperactivity (p<0.0001), and affected students showed lower academic performance in mathematics and Mongolian language (p<0.0001). In conclusion, hyperactivity is more common among boys and is linked to less physical activity, greater screen use, and poorer academic outcomes, highlighting the need for improved caregiver awareness and early detection to prevent later mental health problems.