Sleep and waking in US adolescents

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Time diary analysis was performed using cohort data from 1981 and the period 2003-2006 by Knutson and Lauderdale from the University of Chicago. The results show that bed times and wake times were similar in 1981 and 2003-2006. Average time in bed on school days was about 8 hours and 9-10 on non-school days. The greatest predictor of wake time was school start time. Many adolescents spent less than the recommended 9 hours per day in bed on school days. Increased computer use and earlier start school days may contribute to the wide spread lack of adequate sleep among US adolescents.