Lack of Sleep and Its Effects on Children

Sleep deprivation in children can increase their risk of participating in anti-social behaviours such as smoking and drinking as well as poor grades according to research that is being presented at the 2007 Associated Professional Sleep Societies meeting.

The research, presented about the effects of too little sleep in adolescent-aged children, was carried out in China by University of Pittsburgh researcher Dr. Xianchen Liu.

In the study, 1,362 children, with an average age of 14.6, were asked a series of questions about their sleeping habits and other behaviors including, drinking and stress.

The results of the study linked a number of sleep problems with drinking. For example, the study found that children who were not getting a full eight hours of sleep each night suffered from bad dreams and had a hard time falling asleep and were connected with drinking. Another bad behavior linked with bad dreams, problems falling asleep, waking during the night and going to bed at late hours was smoking.

In a press release by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the head researcher, Liu, said, "These findings demonstrate significant associations between sleep quantity and sleep disturbances and smoking and drinking in Chinese adolescents. Although prospective, longitudinal studies are warranted, these findings suggest a potential role of sleep intervention - that is, education in sleep hygiene and the treatment of sleep disturbances - in the prevention of adolescent substance use."

The study of Chinese children isn't the only research that is being presented at the 2007 Associated Professional Sleep Societies meeting regarding the affects of sleep on children.

Another study was carried out in the schools of Chappaqua, N.Y. Alyssa Bachmann wrote this study and it focused on children in second and third grade. The parents of children in these grades were asked to complete a questionnaire about their child's sleeping habits.

The results of the questionnaire were then compared with the children's grades and learning abilities. It was discovered that children who had sleep problems showed grades that were noticeably lower than children who did not suffer from sleep problems. The subjects that stood out as the most affected by sleep problems were writing, reading and maths.

In a report published by Phyorg, the writer of the study, Alyssa Bachman said, "This study, which identified the relationship between the prevalence of symptoms of sleep disorders and academic performance in second and third grade, found that screening students at school with a validated school-based instrument may identify students to be referred for appropriated medical and/or behavioral treatment."

These studies are just two of the many studies that reveal how not getting enough sleep can affect human beings. Lack of sleep can cause problems with our mental and physical well being increasing our risk for heart problems and depression. Ideally an adult should get no less than 7 hours of sleep a night, 8 is probably better.

It is recommended that young children sleep 11 to 13 hours a night and that children that are of school age get 10 to 11 hours of sleep each night.

Some tips provided by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for helping your children get the sleep they need include; keep a routine by putting them to bed at the same time each night, make bedtime quiet and relaxing, avoid foods that contain sugar and caffeine and get them up at the same time each day.

Sources
http://www.physorg.com/news100798325.html
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-06/aaos-sdc053007.php
http://www.aasmnet.org/