Health Tip: Most Teens Don't Get Enough Sleep

Experts point to potential health consequences

January 31, 2012 RSS Feed Print

(HealthDay News) -- Teenagers need 8 1/2 to 9 1/4 hours of sleep each night to feel good and perform well at school.

But the National Sleep Foundation cites a recent survey showing only 15 percent of teens said they got this much sleep on school nights.

The foundation says possible consequences of sleep deprivation include:

Becoming more forgetful, and having trouble learning, problem-solving and concentrating.
Developing acne and other skin problems.
Developing aggressive or inappropriate behaviors.
Gaining weight and overeating.
Increasing use of nicotine or caffeine to stay awake.
Becoming more likely to get sick, or injured from drowsy driving.