American Academy of Pediatrics Recommend Teens Get More Sleep and Suggest Later Start Time for School

The American Academy of Pediatrics released a study yesterday suggesting that teens do not get enough sleep and therefore suggest later start times for school.

istock

Teens should be getting 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Most teens only get 6-7 hours of sleep per night.

According to the article:

Impact of Chronic Sleep Loss in
Adolescents:
Physical health and safety
Increased obesity risk
Metabolic dysfunction (hypercholesterolemia,type 2 diabetes mellitus)
Increased cardiovascular morbidity(hypertension, increased risk of stroke)
Increased rates of motor vehicle crashes(“drowsy driving”)
Higher rates of caffeine consumption; increased risk of toxicity/overdose
Nonmedical use of stimulant medications;diversion
Lower levels of physical activity
Mental health and behavior
Increased risk for anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation
Poor impulse control and self-regulation;increased risk-taking behaviors
Emotional dysregulation; decreased positive affect
Impaired interpretation of social/emotionalcues in self and others
Decreased motivation
Increased vulnerability to stress
Academics and school performance
Cognitive deficits, especially with more complex tasks
Impairments in executive function (working memory, organization, time management,sustained effort)
Impairments in attention and memory
Deficits in abstract thinking, verbal creativity
Decreased performance efficiency and output
Lower academic achievement
Poor school attendance
Increased dropout rates

They are hoping schools would start the school day at 8:30am for middle and high school students. They recommend the change so students can start getting more sleep.

Click Here for the Entire Study

So the only way this would work is if the teenager would get in bed on time. But if I'm guessing, most teens would take advantage of the later start time to school by staying up later.

Just my guess.

Now this change wouldn't be implemented for elementary schools, just for schools with teens.

What are your thoughts?