Teens Still Getting Too Little Sleep with School & Social Schedule

Parents feeling run-down, too

Though families overwhelmingly find sleep a high priority, according to a new survey, many teens are still getting too little. And parents are sacrificing their shut-eye too to meet demands of their child's schedule. "All of the data we have suggests that teenagers need 8 1/2 to 9 1/4 hours of sleep per night," said Helene Emsellem, medical director of the Center for Sleep & Wake Disorders. However, even a simple schedule of school, extracurricular activities and/or a part-time job can have a student up late doing homework. When teens don't get enough sleep, there are consequences beyond just being more irritable or moody. A lack of sleep can lead a person to reach for more empty carbohydrates and sugar, and send a signal to our bodies to store more fat. Also, sleep deprivation reduces insulin sensitivity, setting the stage for Type 2 diabetes and weight gain. (NPR)

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