Latest news with #ABCD)Study
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Going to bed early ‘is key to how well children do in their exams'
Even 15 minutes' more sleep leads to differences in how well tasks are performed, according to researchers. The study, published in Cell Reports, used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, a long-term study looking at brain development and child health in the US. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University in Shanghai looked at 3,222 children aged between 11 and 12 who had been given FitBit devices to track their sleeping patterns. Their results were checked against two groups of 13 to 14-year-olds, comprising 1,190 youngsters. The children were divided into three categories based on average sleep times. The first slept on average seven hours and 10 minutes, while the second group slept for seven hours and 21 minutes, and the third slept for seven hours and 25 minutes. The study found the group that slept the longest had the largest brain volume and best brain function, while the first group, which slept for the shortest time, had the smallest volume and poorest brain function. Researchers found no difference in school achievements between the three groups, but when given cognitive tests looking at reading, vocabulary and problem-solving, the group that slept the longest performed the best. Professor Barbara Sahakian, of the University of Cambridge's department of psychiatry, said: 'While we know a lot about sleep in adulthood and later life, we know surprisingly little about sleep in adolescence, even though this is a crucial time in our development. 'Even though the differences in the amount of sleep that each group got was relatively small, we could still see differences in brain structure and activity and in how well they did at tasks. 'This drives home to us just how important it is to have a good night's sleep at this important time in life.' Researchers also analysed heart rates across the groups. They found the youngsters who slept the longest had the lowest heart rates, which is usually a sign of better health. Dr Qing Ma, of Fudan University, added: 'Although our study can't answer conclusively whether young people have better brain function and perform better at tests because they sleep better, there are a number of studies that would support this idea.'
The Independent
22-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Teenagers who sleep longer and earlier are likely to do better at tests, study finds
Young people who go to bed earlier and sleep for longer than their peers tend to have better brain function and perform better at cognitive tests, according to researchers from the UK and China. A study of more than 3,000 adolescents found that those who got an early night, slept longer and had the lowest sleeping heart rates would outperform others on reading, vocabulary, problem solving and other mental tests. Professor Barbara Sahakian, from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, said: 'Regularly getting a good night's sleep is important in helping us function properly, but while we know a lot about sleep in adulthood and later life, we know surprisingly little about sleep in adolescence, even though this is a crucial time in our development. 'How long do young people sleep for, for example, and what impact does this have on their brain function and cognitive performance?' While it has long been understood that sleep plays an important role in helping bodies function, researchers were surprised by the impact of even the smallest differences in sleep. Professor Sahakian added: 'Even though the differences in the amount of sleep that each group got was relatively small, at just over a quarter-of-an-hour between the best and worst sleepers, we could still see differences in brain structure and activity and in how well they did at tasks. This drives home to us just how important it is to have a good night's sleep at this important time in life.' Typically, studies looking at how young people sleep have relied on self-reporting, which can be inaccurate. Researchers at Fudan University, Shanghai, and the University of Cambridge turned to data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States. As part of this study, researchers gave young people Fitbits to gather objective data on their sleep patterns and compare it against brain scans and results from cognitive tests. They found the adolescents could be divided into one of three groups. Group one, accounting for 39 per cent of participants, slept an average of seven hours and 10 minutes. They tended to sleep the latest and wake the earliest. Group two, accounting for 24 per cent, slept an average of seven hours and 21 minutes, with average levels across all sleep characteristics. Meanwhile, group three, accounting for 37 per cent, slept an average of seven hours and 25 minutes. They went to bed and fell asleep the earliest, and had lower heart rates during sleep. Researchers found no significant differences in the school achievements between these groups, but group three outperformed the other two when it came to cognitive tests looking at vocabulary, reading, problem solving and focus. They also had the largest brain volume and best brain functions, while group one had the smallest volume and poorest brain functions. First author Dr Qing Ma from Fudan University said: 'Although our study can't answer conclusively whether young people have better brain function and perform better at tests because they sleep better, there are a number of studies that would support this idea. 'For example, research has shown the benefits of sleep on memory, especially on memory consolidation, which is important for learning.' The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says that the ideal amount of sleep during adolescence is between eight and 10 hours.
Western Telegraph
22-04-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Youngsters who sleep longer may perform better in tests, study suggests
Even 15 minutes' more sleep leads to differences in how well tasks are performed, according to researchers. The study, published in Cell Reports, used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, a long-term study looking at brain development and child health in the US. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University in Shanghai looked at 3,222 children aged between 11 and 12 who had been given FitBit devices to track their sleeping patterns. More Stories Their results were checked against two groups of 13 to 14-year-olds, comprising 1,190 youngsters. The children were divided into three categories based on average sleep times. The first slept on average seven hours and 10 minutes, while the second group slept for seven hours and 21 minutes, and the third slept for seven hours and 25 minutes. The study found the group that slept the longest had the largest brain volume and best brain function, while the first group, which slept for the shortest time, had the smallest volume and poorest brain function. Researchers found no difference in school achievements between the three groups, but when given cognitive tests looking at reading, vocabulary and problem-solving, the group that slept the longest performed the best. Professor Barbara Sahakian, of the University of Cambridge's department of psychiatry, said: 'Regularly getting a good night's sleep is important in helping us function properly, but while we know a lot about sleep in adulthood and later life, we know surprisingly little about sleep in adolescence, even though this is a crucial time in our development. 'Even though the differences in the amount of sleep that each group got was relatively small, at just over a quarter-of-an-hour between the best and worst sleepers, we could still see differences in brain structure and activity and in how well they did at tasks. 'This drives home to us just how important it is to have a good night's sleep at this important time in life.' Researchers also analysed heart rates across the groups. They found the youngsters who slept the longest had the lowest heart rates, which is usually a sign of better health. Dr Qing Ma, of Fudan University, added: 'Although our study can't answer conclusively whether young people have better brain function and perform better at tests because they sleep better, there are a number of studies that would support this idea. 'For example, research has shown the benefits of sleep on memory, especially on memory consolidation, which is important for learning.'
CNN
04-02-2025
- Health
- CNN
Your phone habits may be exposing your children to mature content, new study finds
You might not think twice about spending extended time on your phone around your children, but a new study suggests that parents' screen-time habits are associated with children accessing more age-inappropriate content. Parental screen usage in front of children and family rules around devices are significantly linked to higher odds of kids watching R-rated movies and playing mature-rated video games, according to a new study published Tuesday in the journal BMC Pediatrics. 'We wanted to explore parent rules and adolescents' exposure to mature content because there's a lack of research to guide parents of young adolescents on media use,' said lead study author Dr. Jason Nagata, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, via email. 'While the American Academy of Pediatrics provides general recommendations for ages 5 to 18, young adolescents are at a unique developmental stage — they're not little kids anymore, but they're also not fully independent teens.' Nagata and other researchers analyzed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, including more than 10,000 adolescents aged 12 to 13. Parents responded to a 14-item questionnaire, rating their agreement with statements such as, 'I try to limit how much I use a screen-based device when I am with my child' on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). Adolescents also self-reported their exposure to mature content by answering two questions, 'How often do you watch R-rated movies?' and 'How often do you play mature-rated video games?' on a scale from 0 (never) to 3 (all the time). The study found that with each unit increase in parental screen use — based on the 1 to 4 scale — there was an 11% increase in the likelihood of children engaging with both mature video games and R-rated movies. 'This (study) offers strong encouragement for us as parents to keep on monitoring and limiting our kids' use of screens, even when doing so is difficult and unpleasant because we get a lot of pushback from our kids,' said CNN contributor Dr. Kara Alaimo, associate professor of communication at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey and author of 'Over the Influence,' via email. Frequent screen use during meals and high levels of bedroom screentime in adolescents were also notably associated with increased exposure to mature content, according to the study. How parents can limit screen time For parents uncertain about navigating their child's screen time, a good starting point is modeling healthy device habits. Children tend to mirror their parents' behavior, so if adults frequently use their phones, adolescents will be inclined to do the same. 'Parents should practice what they preach,' Nagata said. 'If parents make a family rule to not text at the dinner table, they should follow it.' Alaimo encourages parents to reflect on their own phone usage around their kids, asking whether the activities they do on their phones are truly meaningful or mindless scrolling that provides little value. While she acknowledges it's not always possible, she also suggests that parents try to spend time on their devices when their children are at school or asleep to maximize quality in-person family time. If parents take the time to initiate a conversation around efforts to manage their personal screen time, it can provide more thoughtful and relatable examples for kids to follow, Alaimo said. Navigating screen-time boundaries with your child Nagata emphasized that adolescent bedroom screen use had the strongest correlation with exposure to mature content. To effectively limit access to inappropriate media, families should establish clear screen rules during meals and before bedtime, he added. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends creating a family media plan to set specific, practical guidelines tailored to each household. To initiate device guidelines, parents should promote frequent conversations around appropriate phone use, which can include eliminating any screens during certain times of the day. Since every family's media plan will differ, Nagata said it's important for parents to adjust screen-time rules as children grow. That may include reassessing what content is appropriate, which devices are used and how much time is spent on screens. The study also found that using screen time as a punishment often led children to seek out more mature content, which Nagata attributed to adolescents who are craving independence and may react negatively to restrictive measures. 'I've seen that when kids fear that their parents will take away their screens, it can discourage them from coming to their parents when they end up in trouble online and need help — for example, if they're being blackmailed for money,' Alaimo said. 'Tempting though it can be for all of us, this study gives parents another reason to think twice before wielding such punishments.' However, children who were rewarded with screen time tended to consume less mature media. Nagata suggests that positive reinforcement strategies with screens can be effective in encouraging other healthy device habits.
