Final answer:
The amount of sleep adults need does change as they get older, usually decreasing to fewer than 7 hours a day by age 65. Factors like the use of electric light and lifestyle changes contribute to a sleep debt in many adults. Sleep is crucial for cognitive functions, and not getting the recommended 7-9 hours can have negative consequences on health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Does Sleep Change with Age?
As we age, the amount of sleep we require does indeed change. A meta-analysis indicates that adults may average fewer than 7 hours of sleep daily by the time they reach 65. This is a decline from the 12 to 18 hours of sleep needed by newborns, and it follows a pattern where, as children transition to teenagers and then to adulthood, the average amount of sleep needed tends to decrease.
It is not just the age that can affect sleep patterns; lifestyle factors play a significant role too. The invention of electric light and greater nighttime activity have contributed to shorter sleep durations. Adults, including college students and working professionals, often experience a sleep debt when they consistently get less than the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep, leading to decreased alertness and cognitive function.
Furthermore, the National Sleep Foundation has updated their sleep duration recommendations to accommodate individual variations, understanding that while 7-9 hours may be recommended, some individuals may require slightly different amounts to function optimally. Sleep is crucial not only for restoration but also for other functions such as learning and memory, and a significant sleep debt can lead to adverse effects on health and cognitive abilities.