Using advanced technological and statistical tools, leading international paediatricians and sleep scientists have been able to isolate and measure the impact of children not getting their required amount of sleep.
Studies has shown that because children’s brains are continually developing until the age of 21, and because much of that development is done while a child is asleep, lost sleep hours has an exponential impact on children’s development.

What surprised the experts was just how much sleep affects both academic performance and emotional stability. The study proved that children who were not getting enough sleep had:

• Academic issues: were performing well below assessed potential.
• Attention and concentration problems: were unable to stay focused on class and homework.
• Hyperactive-impulsive behaviour: liked to start but had difficulty finishing tasks & projects.
• Experienced moods swings: sadness, irritability, defiance and heightened euphoria.

As well there were strong correlations between other phenomena that had been assumed to be entirely unrelated, such as obesity and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

The scientists conclusions from the study were that reduced sleep experienced during formative years can cause permanent changes in a child’s brain structure that was likened to having a permanent a hangover that couldn’t be ‘slept off’ later in life. Once the damage was done, it could not be reversed.
It also became apparent that many of the hallmark characteristics of being a young adult (8 – 16) such as moodiness, depression, and even binge eating — were actually the result of sleep deprivation.

It also was proven to heighten the risk for adolescents (15+) to take up smoking and drinking, two habits that are also severely detrimental to their health. Studies were based upon a research that monitored adolescents from the age of 5 thru to 15 in schools across the UK. The research collected data on sleep patterns, sleep problems, smoking and drinking, academic results, behavioural and emotional problems, life stress, and demographic characteristics of the children and their families.

The results showed that sleeping less than 10 to 13 hours a night for school age up to 12 years old and 8 to 10 hours a night for 12 years of age to 16 years of age directly affects his or her physical health, emotional well-being, mental abilities, productivity and performance.

This supported other recent studies that associate lack of sleep with serious health problems such as an increased risk of depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The recommendations that came from the study were:

• A set bedtime routine must be agreed to and adhered during the week and for Sunday nights.
• Homework should be completed early – preferably before tea.
• TV should be limited or cut out during the week due to heightened neurological stimulation.
• Bedtime must be set – 8 pm  to 9.30 pm up to age 12 and 9.00 pm to 10.30 pm up to age 16.
• Quiet time such as reading in bed prior to lights out.

The responsibility rests with the parents and the child to ensure that healthy sleep patterns are put in place.  Otherwise children will be adversely affected for the rest of their lives.