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 In a new policy adopted on Tuesday, the AMA said middle and high
schools should start at 8:30 a.m. at the earliest because research
has shown that puberty is accompanied by a biological shift in
circadian rhythm that contributes to later bedtimes and wake-up
times in adolescents.
The influential doctors group said nearly 10 percent of U.S. high
schools today begin at or before 7:30 a.m. as districts try to make
time for additional classes, sports and extracurricular activities.
Inadequate sleep has been linked to a host of mental and physical
problems, from poor memory performance and mood disorders to
impaired immune function and unhealthy body mass index, the AMA
said.
"Sleep deprivation is a growing public health issue affecting our
nation's adolescents, putting them at risk for mental, physical and
emotional distress and disorders," said Dr. William Kobler, an AMA
board member.
"Scientific evidence strongly suggests that allowing adolescents
more time for sleep at the appropriate hours results in improvements
in health, academic performance, behavior, and general well-being,"
he added.
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Only 32 percent of American teens in a recent study reported getting
at least eight hours of sleep on an average school night. The
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends teenagers between 14 and
17 years old should get 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep per night.
The AMA's new policy, adopted at the group's annual meeting in
Chicago, also encourages physicians to educate parents, school
administrators and teachers about the importance of sleep for
adolescent mental and physical health.
(Reporting by Susan Kelly; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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