A new study by researchers at Columbia University, published this week in Pediatrics, finds that teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 are getting less sleep than teens did in the 1990s. While two-thirds of 13 year old are getting at least seven hours of sleep, by age 18, only one-thirds of adolescents are getting the minimum recommended hours of sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 14 to 17 year olds get eight to 10 hours, and 18 to 25 year olds get seven to nine hours, of sleep each night.

The reason for this generational trend is more technology, more caffeine, and earlier school hours. Experts recommend teens turn off their electronic devices, including their smartphones and TVs, at least an hour before they go to sleep. Fewer frozen cappuccinos and Red Bulls will help, too. Finally, sleep experts are advocating that high schools start the day later, that extra hour of sleep enabling teens to better power through the school day.

While the report finds that the teens don’t believe their lack of sleep hours affects them, poor sleeping habits boost “the risk of weight gain, poor school performance, depression and other problems,” MedlinePlus reports. While it may be challenging for an aunt, even a parent, to encourage teens to go to bed earlier - they are hormonally designed to be nocturnal creatures - letting them know how their sleep habits at night affect them during the day may help. In addition to the concerns above, Dr. Marcel Deray, a pediatric neurologist and director of the sleep disorders center at Miami Children's Hospital, says that a lack of sleep among teen also increases the risk for car accidents.


Photo: Feelart
Published: February 18, 2015