What are the effects of sleep deprivation on teenagers Research Paper

What are the effects of sleep deprivation on teenagers - Research Paper Example Teenagers, today indulge in a wide array of activities which may stretch well into the night for example, partying, playing games, online socialising and studying for exams etc. It is recommended that an average teenager needs about 9-9.5 hours of proper sleeps. However, today teenagers barely sleep for the recommended period of time which has negative consequences both on their body functioning and mental health. In fact long term deprivation of sleep may even have serious implications on the health. This has become a matter of concern for parent, educators and researchers who recommend that proper sleep is absolutely essential for both physical and mental growth. Sleep is the period in which the body rests and recovers from the stress it experienced during the day. The body and all its metabolic processes are accustomed to a particular biological clock which is affected severely by sleep deprivation. Several research studies have focused on the association between lack of sleep and hormonal release in the body. Hormones play an important role in the development of the teenagers; however owing to lack of sleep hormonal release is altered which has negative effects on the body mechanism. Researchers have pointed out that sleep restriction alters metabolic and endocrine systems. Hormones that regulate glucose metabolism have been shown to be influenced by changes in sleep patterns. Young adults who are deprived of sleep show increased glucose tolerance, reduction in insulin sensitivity, enhanced cortisol and ghrelin concentration in the evenings and a loss of appetite (Leprult and Cauter, 2010). The altered regulation in glucose metabolism has not only led to an increase in obesity among teenagers but has also led to an increase in Type II diabetes. Lack of sleep also affects immunity of developing teenagers. Sleep deprivation has been associated with increased lymphocyte activity and enhanced levels of Interleukin-1