Sleep deprivation in teenagers is a health issue that’s getting more attention in recent years, with a recent UK study suggesting that more than half of teens regularly experience lack of sleep.1
Sleep deprivation has serious effects on everyone, as we reported in our three-part series on sleep deprivation over the summer. And because sleep deprivation is considered a hallmark of the more serious condition of sleep apnea, it’s important to remember that even teenagers are susceptible to sleep apnea (Harvard Medical School calls it “relatively rare but extremely serious”).2
Now that school is back in full swing across the U.S., it’s a good time to take a look at how kids of all ages may be at greater risk of sleep deprivation thanks to the familiar burden of homework, after-school activities and busy social schedules that often include late weekend nights.
In fact, the risks of sleep deprivation are perhaps even greater for teenagers than for adults. Lack of sleep can increase forgetfulness and limit the ability of teens to listen and concentrate, just as it can with adults. But with teens, the impact is arguably more significant, since they’re often engaged heavily in education during this time. And, even worse, it can be harder to see the signs of sleep deprivation in teens than it is in adults.
Sleep deprivation in teenagers: The zombie factor
