NATIONAL NEWS
March 31, 2004
Survey: Kids Need More Sleep
A new survey finds that television and caffeine are keeping kids up at night
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Do you get enough sleep? According to a recent survey by the National Sleep Foundation, chances are you’re not getting the zzz’s you need. The foundation is an independent organization that promotes sleep education. Its annual survey found that children, from newborns to fifth-graders, are getting one to two hours less sleep every day than is recommended.
What’s Keeping Kids Up?
"Our new poll finds that many children are not sleeping enough and many experience sleep problems," said Richard L. Gelula, the foundation’s chief executive officer. Survey results were announced Tuesday.
Television and caffeine found in soft drinks are helping to keep many kids awake at night, the study says. Of the more than 1,400 households polled, the survey found that 26 percent of children ages 3 or older drink at least one caffeinated beverage a day, including sodas or iced tea. Those children slept 30 minutes less each night than those who did not drink caffeine.
The survey also found that 43 percent of school-aged kids had their own television sets in their bedrooms. These kids went to sleep 20 minutes later than those without a TV in their room. Those minutes add up and mean that kids with TV’s lose more than two hours of sleep each week.
The Need for Sleep
Getting less sleep can make kids cranky and not learn as well as they should. Children in the first through fifth grades average about 9.5 hours of sleep daily, according to the survey. Experts say kids this age should sleep 10 to 11 hours a night.
About 69 percent of kids in the households surveyed said they experienced sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep, sleepwalking, and snoring, a few nights a week. Kids are not alone when it comes to needing more sleep. The poll also found that the parents need more sleep, too!
Here are a few things you, and your parents, can do to stay well-rested:
- Try going to bed at the same time every night.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine and late-night meals before bed.
- Develop a relaxing routine right before bedtime (Reading is good!).
- A warm bath is a great way to relax before bedtime.
- Make sure your room is quiet and dark so you can relax.
