Scientists Starting school later would reduce school problems for children

Study examines effects of later school start
Many teenagers have problems getting out of bed early in the morning. Compulsory education, however, means that affected young people have to get up early despite the lack of sleep. Researchers now advise that the beginning of the school should be later in the morning.

The scientists at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) found in their study that school in the morning should not start before 8.30 clock in the morning, so that young people get enough sleep a week. The experts published the results of their study in the journal "Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine".

Sufficient sleep is important for human health. Especially children and adolescents need a lot of sleep. Researchers found that the school should start later in the morning. Thus, several health benefits for the students would be achieved and improved school performance would be possible. (Image: pressmaster / fotolia.com)

Experts advise later in school
Many adolescents simply do not sleep enough during the week. For this reason, researchers at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend that middle and high school students should not start class before 8:30.

What are the benefits of having a later school start in the morning??
For example, delaying the school day would help to reduce delays. This would improve attendance and reduce accidents on the way to school, say the authors. A later start of the school would also ensure that the young people are more attentive and perform better at school.

Chronic sleep loss in adolescents leads to massive problems
Early schooling makes it difficult for teens to get enough sleep. The resulting chronic sleep deprivation in adolescents is associated with a variety of problems. These include, for example, poor school performance, increased depressive symptoms and traffic accidents on the way to school, explains author Dr. med. Nathaniel Watson from the AASM.

Teenagers should sleep between eight and ten hours per night
If the school starts at 8:30, it will give teens a better chance of getting enough sleep, the researchers say. So they can then learn at a higher level. AASM recommendations suggest that adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 should routinely receive eight to ten hours of sleep per night. Health and well-being can be promoted, the researchers add.

Two-thirds of high school students sleep too little
Most adolescents in the United States sleep much less than the recommended eight hours each night, according to U.S. numbers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than two-thirds of high-school students do not receive more than seven hours of sleep per night on school days. AASM experts point out that early school starting times affect the sleep cycle of adolescents.

These effects have too little sleep in adolescents
Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to various negative effects on the body and mind. For example, sleep loss causes:
- Poor school performance
- increase in weight
- Metabolic problems and deteriorated heart health
- Depression and suicidal thoughts
- Risky behaviors
- sports injuries

Tired teens are significantly more involved in traffic accidents
In addition, teenagers with a lack of sleep are also more likely to be involved in traffic accidents, AASM experts warn. Other studies have shown that a one-hour delay to school lessons is associated with a 16.5 percent reduction in accidents.

Benefits of adequate sleep
The experts of the AASM noticed different advantages associated with the later start times of the lesson. These include, for example:
- Additional sleeping time
- Less drowsiness during the day
- More active participation in school activities
- Less absenteeism
- Reduced delays
- Less signs and symptoms of depression
- Reduced irritability
- Faster reaction time

Teenagers should avoid the use of electronic devices at bedtime
AASM scientists added that adolescents should generally avoid using electronic devices before bed or at night. Because these devices disturb the sleep of those affected sometimes massive. (As)