How much sleep do we need?
Thing to remember is that there is no "magic member". Different age groups need different amount of sleep, and sleep needs are individual.
Some may need seven hours and others five or nine hours to have a happy, productive life.

Sleep needs vary across ages: -

What is the effect of "sleeping too little"?
Can affect productivity, memory and safety.

Short sleep duration is linked with:

BEARS

This is a simple set of sleep questions for parents. Each letter stands for a different potential sleep problem area. Ask yourself the following questions to help identify sleep issues that might be a concern in your child.

B = Bedtime Does your child have difficulty going to bed? Falling asleep? E = Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Does your child seem sleepy or groggy during the day? Does he or she often seem overtired (this can mean moody, "hper," or "out of it" as well as sleepy)?Is your child always difficult to wake up in the morning? A = Awakenings during the night Does your child wake up at night? Have trouble falling back to sleep? Does anything else seem to interrupt his sleep? R = Regularity and duration of sleep What time does my child go to bed and get up on weekdays? Weekends? How much sleep does he or she get? Need? S = Snoring Does your child snore? Loudly? Every night? Does he ever stop breathing or choke or gasp during sleep?

A yes answer to one or more of these questions could mean that your child has a sleep problem that should be looked into further. Sleep, like diet and exercise, is important for our minds and bodies to function normally. In fact, sleep appears to be required for survival. Rats deprived of sleep die within two to three weeks, a time frame similar to death due to starvation.

Inadequate sleep can cause decreases in:

Signs of Sleep Disorders
A child who has not obtained adequate nighttime sleep is at high risk for symptoms of physical and/or mental impairment. The child may fall asleep in school, have difficulty concentrating in school and other activities, and/or exhibit behavioral problems. Some children who are sleepy become agitated rather than lethargic and may be misdiagnosed as hyperactive. Not getting enough sleep is one cause of problem sleepiness. Undiagnosed/untreated sleep disorders can also cause problem sleepiness. Children as well as adults can suffer from sleep disorders. Parents should talk to their pediatrician about a possible sleep disorder if their child has any of the following: