Whether playing in summer or studying during the school year, New Brunswick's youth would benefit from more sleep. Findings from the NBHC's five-year review of child and youth health in New Brunswick shows that encouraging adequate sleep can have a beneficial effect on four areas of youth health:
- Improving mental health
- Achieving healthy weights
- Preventing injuries
- Achieving tobacco-free living
“Fewer than four New Brunswick youth in 10 get eight or more hours of sleep per night,” said Stéphane Robichaud, the CEO of the NBHC. ”Our research indicates that supporting children and youth to achieve adequate sleep has a beneficial effect on these four priority areas, and a sleep deficit tends to make them worse. Encouraging adequate sleep for children and youth is something everyone can do to help.”
While eight hours of sleep is the minimum recommendation for youth and adult sleep, national guidelines suggest even more sleep for children and youth. Children from 5 to 13 years old should have 9 to 11 hours of sleep, and youth 14 to 17 should sleep eight to 10 hours per night. Recreational use of devices with screens before bedtime has been shown to delay sleep.
For more information
Read more on sleep guidelines here: https://csepguidelines.ca/
Or consult our infographic below.
