Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Teens Sleeping Less Than 8 Hours Than In Late 2000s, Study Shows

Many teens are now sleeping less than the essential eight hours compared to their peers in the 2000s, finds a study that suggests it may be increasing their risk of several chronic diseases. 

The US-based study published in the JAMA showcased an alarming decline in the sleep duration of teens, marking it as a major public health problem in America.

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Columbia University Irving Medical Center defined insufficient sleep as anything less than or equal to seven hours, while less than or equal to five hours was considered a very short sleep.

The survey, which included more than 120,000 students, showed that between 2007 and 2023, the number of students getting insufficient sleep grew from 68.9 percent to 76.8 percent. 

The percentage of teens with very short sleep also rose from 15.8 percent to 23 percent during the same period. 

Notably, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) 2021 also showed that the percentage of high school students who do not get enough sleep increased from 2009 to 2021. More female students than male students reported not getting enough sleep during this period.

<h2>Sleep Loss: An Epidemic Among US Teens </h2>

While CDC data shows that about 1 in 3 adults in the US is not getting enough rest or sleep every day, the problem is most acute among teens, according to Nanci Yuan, director of the Stanford Children's Health Sleep Center. 

In a detailed 2014 report, the American Academy of Pediatrics also called the problem of tired teens a public health epidemic. 

Key factors causing sleep loss in teenagers include: 

<ul><li>biological changes</li><li>early school start times</li><li>increase in screen time late at night, which suppresses melatonin production</li><li>heavy workloads from school</li><li>academic pressure, anxiety, and depression</li><li>caffeine consumption </li><li>medical issues like insomnia, restless legs syndrome, or obstructive sleep apnea</li></ul>

A good night's sleep -- an uninterrupted and refreshing sleep -- is essential for our health and emotional well-being. It is also linked with better academics and improved mental health. 

The US CDC recommends teens between 13 and 17 years of age get 8–10 hours of sleep. 

<ul><li>are less likely to get sick often</li><li>maintain a healthy weight</li><li>have less stress and a better mood</li><li>have good heart health and metabolism</li><li>are less likely to suffer from Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke</li><li>can have better attention and memory</li></ul>

<ul><li>trouble falling asleep</li><li>repeatedly waking up during the night</li><li>feeling sleepy or tired even after getting enough sleep</li></ul>

Health Conditions A-Z

health

sleep

insufficient sleep

sleep disorders

heart disease

high blood pressure

stroke

Type 2 diabetes

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Many teens are now sleeping less than the essential eight hours compared to their peers in the 2000s, finds a study that suggests it may be increasing their risk of several chronic diseases. The US-based study published in the JAMA showcased an alarming decline in the sleep duration of teens, marking it as a major public health problem in America. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Columbia University Irving Medical Center defined insufficient sleep as anything less than or equal to seven hours, while less than or equal to five hours was considered a very short sleep. The survey, which included more than 120,000 students, showed that between 2007 and 2023, the number of students getting insufficient sleep grew from 68.9 percent to 76.8 percent. The percentage of teens with very short sleep also rose from 15.8 percent to 23 percent during the same period. Notably, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) 2021 also showed that the percentage of high school students who do not get enough sleep increased from 2009 to 2021. More female students than male students reported not getting enough sleep during this period. Sleep Loss: An Epidemic Among US Teens While CDC data shows that about 1 in 3 adults in the US is not getting enough rest or sleep every day, the problem is most acute among teens, according to Nanci Yuan, director of the Stanford Children's Health Sleep Center. In a detailed 2014 report, the American Academy of Pediatrics also called the problem of tired teens a public health epidemic. Key factors causing sleep loss in teenagers include: biological changesearly school start timesincrease in screen time late at night, which suppresses melatonin productionheavy workloads from schoolacademic pressure, anxiety, and depressioncaffeine consumption medical issues like insomnia, restless legs syndrome, or obstructive sleep apneaWhy Is Good Sleep Important? A good night's sleep -- an uninterrupted and refreshing sleep -- is essential for our health and emotional well-being. It is also linked with better academics and improved mental health. The US CDC recommends teens between 13 and 17 years of age get 8–10 hours of sleep. Individuals who get enough sleep: are less likely to get sick oftenmaintain a healthy weighthave less stress and a better moodhave good heart health and metabolismare less likely to suffer from Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and strokecan have better attention and memorySigns of poor sleep quality include: trouble falling asleeprepeatedly waking up during the nightfeeling sleepy or tired even after getting enough sleep