Sleep is one thing that Americans are short on these days, and this includes children. Like their adult counterparts, kids are staying up later, plugged into their computer screens and televisions. Most parents know that a good night's sleep is essential for their children to perform well in school and other areas, however new research shows that cutting sleep short can actually lead to both physical and mental illnesses.

One study published in the November 2013 issue of Pediatrics, entitled "Changes in Bedtime Schedules and Behavioral Difficulties in 7 Year Old Children," looked at the bedtimes and behavior patterns of children in the United Kingdom. The data was collected from more than 10,000 children in the UK Millennium Cohort Study, focusing on children at 3, 5 and 7 years of age. Researchers also factored in reports from parents, teachers and other adults associated with the children. What they found was that children with irregular bedtime habits were likely to begin exhibiting behavioral difficulties before the age of 7. The pattern was very clear: children who continued without a regular bedtime experienced worsening behavioral scores, however children who switched to a normal sleep schedule saw their behavioral scores improve. Study authors concluded that the behavioral difficulties may be caused by the disruption in circadian rhythms as well as the damaging effects of sleep deprivation on a developing brain, and that doctors may inquire about sleep patterns during regular health checkups."

Another study indicates that it's not only the regularity but also the duration of sleep that keeps us healthy. The study, published in the October 2013 issue of Sleep, suggests that regular sleep habits are essential for reducing the risk of physical illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease. In this study, researchers tracked more than 54,000 American adults in 14 states. Of the sample, almost two-thirds of participants (64 percent) received the optimal amount of sleep each night, which was factored in at 7 to 9 hours. Nearly one-third (32 percent) of participants were "short sleepers," receiving less than six hours per night, and the remaining few (4 percent) were "long sleepers" who received more than nine hours of sleep per night. The research showed that the short sleepers were more likely to exhibit diabetes, heart disease, obesity and frequent mental distress than those who received the recommended 7 to 9 hours. Perhaps surprisingly, the same was true for "long sleepers," who showed even higher instances of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

"Sleeping longer doesn't necessarily mean you're sleeping well," said Safwan Badr, M.D., president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. "It is important to understand that both the quality and quantity of sleep impact your health . . . When and how you sleep is just as important as what you eat or how you exercise."

Study co-author Janet Croft,  a senior chronic disease epidemiologist in the division of population health at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that the relationships between shorter sleep durations and increased instances of illness may be attributed at least in part to the higher instances of obesity and mental distress. Like researchers in the prior study, Croft suggested that inquiries about sleep should be part of regular health examinations. "Physicians should consider monitoring mental health and body weight in addition to sleep health for patients with chronic diseases," said Croft.

As these studies show, sleep is an essential part of children's health. Children should receive at least at least 10.5 hours of sleep each night, while teens need approximately 8 to 9 hours, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Children's sleep is also important for keeping immunity levels up during cold and flu season. This fall and winter, make sure children are getting the requisite amount of sleep in order to stay healthy. If they do get sick, taking the prescribed medication from their pediatrician will reduce the chance of spread and help them get better faster.

FLAVORX makes medical flavorings that can make taking oral medications easier for children. Ask your pharmacist how you can get your child's prescription in his or her favorite FLAVORX flavor.