Lack of sleep among children could lead to drug, alcohol use: study

Join Fox News for free access to this content and other premium articles by providing your email. Recent research from Penn State University suggests that childhood sleep patterns may be linked to future substance use, with adolescents who had later bedtimes and fewer hours of sleep more likely to have tried alcohol or marijuana by age 15. The study analyzed data from 1,514 children across the U.S. and found that sleep duration and bedtime at ages 5 and 9 were significant factors. The researchers emphasized the importance of ensuring children get adequate sleep to promote positive health behaviors later in life. Other experts noted that addressing sleep problems early on could help prevent risky health behaviors in adolescence.