The hidden health crisis: What does it really mean for today’s children?

2018 was the year that experts pronounced Children’s lack of sleep as a ‘hidden health crisis’ after NHS England statistics revealed thousands of children are facing a sleeplessness crisis, leading to the admission of almost 10,000 under 16’s to hospital, with a sleep disorder.

Year on year admissions rose by 30% in 2018 and experts are putting this down to a combination of excessive screen time and or use of social media before bed, soaring obesity levels and a mental health crisis affecting under 16’s.

The statistics are worrying; not only can health problems be among the contributing factors to a lack of sleep, but, can also be outcomes. Although there is no hard and fast rule, The Sleep Council advise that 3-6-year olds need between 10 and 12 hours sleep a night and for 7-12-year olds that dips to 10 to 11 hours. A lack of sleep in children can have serious consequences on:

Mood

It’s well known that children can wake up feeling grumpy following a poor night’s sleep. But sleep deprivation can lead to more serious consequences. The National Institute of Mental Health has shown that children who experience inadequate sleep are more vulnerable to developing depression and anxiety disorders in later life.

School Performance

A survey of teachers revealed 24% of those questioned admitted they had resorted to letting very tired children nap in a corner of the classroom! Not only do teachers believe that sleep deprivation can affect children’s performance, but scientific studies have also shown that inadequate sleep may disrupt the ability to concentrate, leading to lower attainment levels. Children with reduced sleep are also more likely to struggle with verbal creativity, problem-solving, and generally score lower on IQ tests.

Obesity

Obesity has been reported as a possible influencing factor for ‘the hidden health crisis’ but it’s a two-way street; inadequate or intermittent sleep can have long-term consequences. Children aged between three and five, who aren’t meeting the recommended 10-12 hours’ sleep per night are at an increased risk of becoming overweight at age seven.

The hidden health crisis may be a consequence of modern life. But it’s not good enough. Healthy sleep is critical for children’s psychological and physical wellbeing and it is therefore vital to place an emphasis on good bedtime habits at home, in the communities and in schools.

Sleep experts at Room to Grow advise ‘Your child’s sleep environment is incredibly important in promoting a restful night’s sleep. It may only take a few tweaks here and there to boost their quality of sleep: Firstly, clutter can be an unnecessary distraction, so make sure toys are cleared away in advance of bedtime. Secondly, is their mattress comfortable? It’s advisable to replace mattresses every 7-10 years. Finally, invest in quality bed linen with moisture-wicking properties such as cotton, silk or linen as these will absorb excess moisture, keeping your child comfortable through the night.’

Room to Grow are a one-stop shop for helping you to create practical, yet stylish bedrooms for your children, providing them with their own environment for play and study through ingenious designs and clever space saving features.