Abstract
Sleep disturbance and insufficiency are associated with physical and mental health problems in school-aged adolescent children. Early start times (before 8:30a.m.) restrict sleep for adolescents at over 80% of US middle and high schools. Delaying school start times could be an effective population-level strategy to promote adolescent health and well-being. We review the evidence for the effect of school start time on adolescent sleep, academic achievement and truancy, and mental and physical health. Consistent evidence shows that adolescents at later-starting schools sleep longer than those at earlier-starting schools. Limited evidence suggests that students at later-starting schools may learn more, attend school more regularly, have fewer mental health problems, and are less prone to unintentional injury. We conclude by discussing the trade-offs school districts weigh when considering scheduling changes, and the need for school start time research to improve study design and expand the scope of outcomes.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Sleep and Health |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Pages | 447-454 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780128153734 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780128153741 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2019 |
Keywords
- Adolescent health
- Education
- Injury
- Mental health
- Public policy
- Schools
- Sleep