Will six hours of nightly sleep stunt the growth of a 14-year-old teen?

Sleeping only six hours per night for a 14-year-old teenager is not likely to directly stunt their growth. Growth is primarily influenced by genetics, nutrition, and hormonal factors, rather than sleep duration alone. However, optimal sleep duration and timing are crucial for overall health, including physical growth, learning, muscle repair, immune function, and healthy metabolism2.

Adolescents typically need between 9 and 9.5 hours of sleep each night3. Chronic sleep deprivation can have negative effects on mood, cognitive ability, and academic performance35. While there is no direct evidence that six hours of sleep per night will stunt growth, it can lead to other health issues and may indirectly affect development by impacting factors like appetite regulation and stress levels, which can influence growth25.

In summary, while six hours of sleep per night is insufficient for optimal health and development, it is unlikely to directly affect growth. However, maintaining adequate sleep is important for overall well-being and development during adolescence.