Sleeping on the edge: Adolescents living at moderate altitude report greater sleep need

Purpose: Research in adults suggests that altitude impacts the restorative properties of sleep and increases risk for mental health concerns. The aim of this study was to extend this research to an adolescent sample to examine how living at altitude may be associated with greater sleep need and mental health symptoms during a period of the life-span when risk for insufficient sleep and mental health difficulties is high.

Methods: Data were collected from 105 adolescents aged 10-17 years residing at moderate-high altitudes. Parents reported on sociodemographics and adolescent depressive and anxiety symptoms, and adolescents reported on their subjective sleep need and sleep duration. Altitude was calculated using U.S. Geological Survey data.

Results: Adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, rurality, and sleep duration, living at higher altitude was associated with reports of greater sleep need. Altitude was unrelated to mental health symptoms.

Discussion: The majority of adolescents do not obtain the recommended amount of sleep. These findings suggest that adolescents living at moderate-high altitudes may be at further risk due increased sleep need at higher elevations.