Teenagers are notorious for not meeting their total sleep requirement each night. Most literature indicates this due to societal demands and norms changing. Teenagers now have TV's, computers, video games, etc. in their bedrooms. So when they leave the family for the night, they do not retire to bed; but retire to play. They may not go to sleep until 1 or 2 a.m.. When they get up in the morning for school, they have accumulated 4 hours of sleep debt. By the weekend, even with binge sleeping, there is no way these teens can make up for sleep missed during the week nights.
Other contributing causes are the circadian rhythms which are transitioning in adolescence. During evening hours, when others are getting sleepy, teens are becoming more wide awake. There is some research to indicate that this is due to bright light becoming stimulating to an adolescent, versus others. Possibly changes in the pituatary gland may contribute to these changes.
Long term implications of sleep deprivation are seen daily in the schools, as teenagers have a hard time concentrating or paying attention; or in the increase in car accidents caused by teenagers who can't focus, or process thoughts as quickly as required.
Answers? Please see the link before for more information.
del.icio.us
Digg this
