HOW DOES WHAT WE EAT IMPACT OUR SLEEP?

It is well-known that certain substances, such as caffeine, can affect the onset of sleep in a negative way. On the other hand, evidence is growing that shows how other foods like tart cherries, kiwi, fatty fish (like salmon and tuna), and malted milk may have beneficial effects on sleep. More recently, studies have shown that healthy dietary patterns overall—not just specific foods—could be associated with longer sleep duration and shorter time to fall asleep.

WHY IS SLEEP SO IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF POOR SLEEP?

Sleep is important for every part of the body, and it is especially important for young children as their bodies and minds develop. In young children, lack of sleep or poor quality sleep can be associated with difficult behaviors, lower capacity to learn and retain information, and a propensity for poor eating patterns and weight gain.

WHAT SLEEP NEEDS DO ADOLESCENTS HAVE, AND WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE CURRENT CONVERSATIONS WE'RE HAVING AROUND SCHOOL-DAY START TIMES?

Adolescents need around 8-10 hours of sleep per night, but a high proportion do not get that amount. For example, recent estimates suggest that 60 percent of middle schoolers and 70 percent of high schoolers don’t get adequate sleep on school nights. This figure is even higher for Michigan high schoolers, which is at 80 percent. One of the main reasons adolescents are so sleep-deprived is that biological changes in their brain affect when they feel sleepy. So even if they are sleep-deprived, they often can’t go to bed early because their brain is not yet prepared to sleep.

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