It is normal to spend some time in bed before falling asleep. But because many schools start before 8 a.m., those students are falling short of those sleep targets and that can have serious consequences. Chronic sleep loss among teenagers has been associated with poor school performance and a higher risk for depressive symptoms, obesity, cardiovascular problems, risk-taking behaviors and athletic injuries. The CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2011 showed that 69% of U.S. high school students get fewer than 8 hours of sleep on school nights, and 40% get 6 or fewer hours. Results from the 2015 survey were virtually identical. A National Sleep Foundation poll found 59 percent of 6th through 8th graders and 87 percent of U.S. high school students were getting less than recommended hours of sleep on school nights. Adolescents who are exposed to more light (such as room lighting or from electronics) in the evening are less likely to get enough sleep. Technology use (computers, video gaming, or mobile phones) may also contribute to late
It is normal to spend some time in bed before falling asleep. But because many schools start before 8 a.m., those students are falling short of those sleep targets and that can have serious consequences. Chronic sleep loss among teenagers has been associated with poor school performance and a higher risk for depressive symptoms, obesity, cardiovascular problems, risk-taking behaviors and athletic injuries. The CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2011 showed that 69% of U.S. high school students get fewer than 8 hours of sleep on school nights, and 40% get 6 or fewer hours. Results from the 2015 survey were virtually identical. A National Sleep Foundation poll found 59 percent of 6th through 8th graders and 87 percent of U.S. high school students were getting less than recommended hours of sleep on school nights. Adolescents who are exposed to more light (such as room lighting or from electronics) in the evening are less likely to get enough sleep. Technology use (computers, video gaming, or mobile phones) may also contribute to late