Is Poor Sleep Contributing to the Country's Weight Issues?

Approximately 70% of teens adjusting to fall schedules are not getting enough sleep, with their nightly rest falling below the recommended 8-10 hours for their age group. Early school start times combined with the delayed biological clocks that naturally occur during adolescence are preventing students from obtaining adequate sleep during the school year. This sleep deprivation has significant implications for adolescent health, as insufficient sleep is linked to weight gain and metabolic issues. Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating hormones that control appetite and metabolism, making chronic sleep loss a potential contributor to rising obesity rates among young people. Addressing school schedules and sleep patterns may be an important strategy in tackling the nation's weight and health concerns.

Originally published on
Medical Xpress
Read full article(opens in new tab)Fetched: September 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM



