A study (#0320) being presented as a poster later this morning shows that excessive use of technology by children and teens may be related to both sleep loss and obesity. The study involved 320 students between the ages of 10 and 18 years. Results show that children who had more hours of “screen time” (TV, Internet, computer and video games) got less sleep and consumed more caffeine. Having a shorter sleep duration was associated with a higher body mass index (BMI).
A similar study (#0200) was presented yesterday and published in the June issue of the journal Pediatrics. Read a summary of the study on the Sleep Education Blog.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
Showing posts with label sleep loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sleep loss. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Symposium Examines Causes of Drowsy Driving
A symposium taking place this afternoon at SLEEP 2008 is examining the contributing factors related to drowsy driving. Co-chairs Dr. Naomi Rodgers and Dr. Kenneth Wright Jr., along with a faculty of experts, are presenting the latest information.
According to the U. S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving is a cause of at least 100,000 auto crashes each year. These crashes injure an average of 40,000 people and result in more than 1,550 deaths; the NHTSA suggests that the actual numbers are much higher.
Drowsy-driving crashes tend to occur late at night, are likely to be serious, often involve a single vehicle leaving the roadway, and tend to involve a driver who is alone in the vehicle. In addition to veering off the road, drowsy drivers are likely to wander into another lane or steer into oncoming traffic.
Sleep loss is an obvious factor in drowsy driving. Studies show that sleep deprivation impairs drivers in a manner that is comparable to alcohol, causing lapses in attention and slowing critical reaction times.
Other factors such as late or irregular work shifts, poor sleep habits and untreated sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy can combine to make anyone vulnerable to drowsy driving. Young men in their teens and 20s are more likely to be involved in a drowsy-driving crash.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, tips to avoid drowsy driving include getting a full night of sleep before a long drive and pulling off the road to take a nap if you begin to feel sleepy.
According to the U. S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving is a cause of at least 100,000 auto crashes each year. These crashes injure an average of 40,000 people and result in more than 1,550 deaths; the NHTSA suggests that the actual numbers are much higher.
Drowsy-driving crashes tend to occur late at night, are likely to be serious, often involve a single vehicle leaving the roadway, and tend to involve a driver who is alone in the vehicle. In addition to veering off the road, drowsy drivers are likely to wander into another lane or steer into oncoming traffic.
Sleep loss is an obvious factor in drowsy driving. Studies show that sleep deprivation impairs drivers in a manner that is comparable to alcohol, causing lapses in attention and slowing critical reaction times.
Other factors such as late or irregular work shifts, poor sleep habits and untreated sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy can combine to make anyone vulnerable to drowsy driving. Young men in their teens and 20s are more likely to be involved in a drowsy-driving crash.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, tips to avoid drowsy driving include getting a full night of sleep before a long drive and pulling off the road to take a nap if you begin to feel sleepy.
Snack Attack: Short Sleep Promotes an Increase in Snacking
A study (ID# 0355) being presented as a poster presentation this afternoon at SLEEP 2008 shows that people who restrict their sleep are likely to increase the amount of snacks they eat. The authors conclude that this behavior may contribute to the increased risk of weight gain and obesity associated with short sleep hours.
The study involved 11 healthy volunteers with an average age of 39 years. Caloric intake was monitored for 14 days when sleep was restricted to 5.5 hours in bed each night, and for 14 days of 8.5 hours in bed each night.
Results show that meal intake remained similar in the two conditions, but subjects consumed more energy from snacks during the period of sleep restriction. The carbohydrate content of snacks also increased during restricted sleep.
Energy expenditure was comparable during the two sleep conditions, as were the levels of leptin and ghrelin, two hormones involved in appetite regulation.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, most adults need about seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
The study involved 11 healthy volunteers with an average age of 39 years. Caloric intake was monitored for 14 days when sleep was restricted to 5.5 hours in bed each night, and for 14 days of 8.5 hours in bed each night.
Results show that meal intake remained similar in the two conditions, but subjects consumed more energy from snacks during the period of sleep restriction. The carbohydrate content of snacks also increased during restricted sleep.
Energy expenditure was comparable during the two sleep conditions, as were the levels of leptin and ghrelin, two hormones involved in appetite regulation.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, most adults need about seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Blame the Cell Phone, Early School Start Times for Teen Sleep Loss?
A research abstract being presented as a poster presentation today at SLEEP 2008 provides an interesting explanation for why some teens may not be sleeping well: They spend too much time on the cell phone.
The study of 21 teens (ID# 0249) shows that those who have more than 15 calls and/or 15 text messages a day are more likely to sleep poorly than teens who make less than five calls and/or send five text messages a day.
Excessive cell-phone users are more prone to disrupted sleep, restlessness, stress and fatigue. They also have more trouble waking up in the morning and are more tired before mid-day.
One member of the study group had more than 200 text messages per day. Only one of the 21 participants turned the cell phone off at night.
Another abstract presentation (ID# 0226) addresses a common cause of teen sleep loss: early school start times.
Following a 40-minute delay in the school start time from 7:35 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., students’ total sleep time on school nights increased by 33 minutes per night from 7 hours and 2 minutes to 7 hours and 35 minutes. Students went to bed about eight minutes later at night, but they slept in 41 minutes later in the morning, waking up at 6:53 a.m. instead of 6:12 a.m.
More students reported having “no problem” with sleepiness after the schedule change.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that teens get a little more than nine hours of sleep each night to feel alert and well rested during the day.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
The study of 21 teens (ID# 0249) shows that those who have more than 15 calls and/or 15 text messages a day are more likely to sleep poorly than teens who make less than five calls and/or send five text messages a day.
Excessive cell-phone users are more prone to disrupted sleep, restlessness, stress and fatigue. They also have more trouble waking up in the morning and are more tired before mid-day.
One member of the study group had more than 200 text messages per day. Only one of the 21 participants turned the cell phone off at night.
Another abstract presentation (ID# 0226) addresses a common cause of teen sleep loss: early school start times.
Following a 40-minute delay in the school start time from 7:35 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., students’ total sleep time on school nights increased by 33 minutes per night from 7 hours and 2 minutes to 7 hours and 35 minutes. Students went to bed about eight minutes later at night, but they slept in 41 minutes later in the morning, waking up at 6:53 a.m. instead of 6:12 a.m.
More students reported having “no problem” with sleepiness after the schedule change.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that teens get a little more than nine hours of sleep each night to feel alert and well rested during the day.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
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