Hours in bed reduced by computer game usage
17/05/2011
Teenagers who stay up late at night playing computer games are not getting the recommended amount of time in bed, research presented to the American Psychiatric Association has shown.
A team from the University of Arkansas, led by resident physician in psychiatry Dr Caris Fitzgerald, found that these youngsters are also deprived of exercise, which may impact their health.
"When it comes to teens, they have a lot of factors that affect them, from an ever greater quest for independence reflected by later bedtime; to expectations from parents and peers," Dr Fitzgerald explained.
She noted that their circadian rhythms are also affected, as the body wants to stay up late and not get out of bed in the morning.
This follows research from the National Sleep Foundation, which showed that 61 per cent of people use their laptops or computers a few times a week, at least an hour before bed.
Posted by Elizabeth Mewes
