Why Do Teenagers Need More Sleep Than Adults?

Although a teenager might look like an adult in many ways, fundamental physical differences still exist between adults and teenagers. One significant issue for many teenagers is sleep deprivation, according to the American Psychological Association. The reasons for increased sleep requirements for teenagers are important enough to emphasize the amount of sleep an adolescent gets.

  1. Puberty Onset

    • The onset of puberty varies, with girls hitting this milestone between ages 8 and 13 and boys between ages 9 and 14, according to the University of Chicago Department of Pediatrics. Once puberty hits, an adolescent̵7;s need for sleep becomes extremely important for daily functioning.

    Accelerated Development

    • The accelerated growth occurring in an adolescent is the main reason for the increased sleep demands, according to research associate Erin Morgan, with Virginia Cooperative Extension. Not only does a teenager̵7;s body grow rapidly during puberty, but hormonal changes and brain development are also occurring simultaneously. This perfect storm can contribute to the increased sleep needs for a teenager.

    Circadian Rhythm Shift

    • A teenager̵7;s biological sleep patterns change with the onset of puberty, according to the UCLA Health System website. This shift in circadian rhythms -- termed the ̶0;sleep phase delay̶1; -- moves the time when a teenager feels sleepy back by about two hours. With the urge to stay up later, a teenager might create a serious sleep deficit because of a school schedule that demands early rising. A sleep-deprived teenager can have trouble functioning throughout the day.

    Sleep Recommendations

    • Teenagers need 9 1/4 hours of sleep every night to function at optimal levels throughout the day, according to the National Sleep Foundation website. Lack of sleep can lead to learning problems, behavior difficulties, acne and even weight gain. Further exacerbating the issues, if a teenager institutes an irregular sleep schedule, staying up late and rising early during the school week and then staying up late and sleeping late on the weekends, disturbances in sleep quality can occur, which can lead to more sleep issues such as insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

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