Lack of sleep hurting kids

SCREENS, homework, caffeine and varied bedtimes are stopping one in two teens from getting the sleep they need, a new study shows.

Analysis of 3000 young people by the Australian Institute of Family Studies has found nearly two-thirds of these teenagers have symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The Growing Up In Australia Longitudinal Study of

Australian Children report shows a quarter of kids as young as 12 don’t get enough sleep on school nights, but experts say catching up on weekends is not the answer.

The findings show Australian children aged five to 13 get less than the recommended 9 to 11 hours of sleep, and those aged 14 to 17 get less than eight to 10 hours.

Australian Institute of Family Studies director Anne Hollonds said the study found links between shorter sleep times and higher rates of anxiety and depression.

“The group most at risk of not getting enough sleep on school nights is older adolescents, who may need to be taught how to improve their sleep by reducing caffeine intake, limiting internet use before bedtime, keeping a consistent sleep routine and getting plenty of physical activity,” she said.

“Younger age children, especially boys, are also at risk of not getting enough sleep on non-school nights, highlighting the importance of parents setting regular bedtimes, even on weekends and holidays for younger children.”

Institute Research Fellow, Dr Tracy Evans-Whipp, said regular bedtimes were helping younger children aged six to 11 get enough sleep.

However, teenagers tended to stay up too late during the week and make up for it on weekends.

“This ‘yoyo’ pattern across the week increases with age. It also leads to disrupted sleepwake cycles and goes against the sleep guidelines which advise regular sleep and wake up times,” she said.

The study found those who did more homework, got less exercise and spent more time on the internet tended to have less sleep.

THE GROUP MOST AT RISK OF NOT GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP ON SCHOOL NIGHTS IS OLDER ADOLESCENTS, WHO MAY NEED TO BE TAUGHT HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR SLEEP BY REDUCING CAFFEINE INTAKE, LIMITING INTERNET USE BEFORE BEDTIME, KEEPING A CONSISTENT SLEEP ROUTINE AND GETTING PLENTY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FAMILY STUDIES DIRECTOR ANNE HOLLONDS