What is the definition of "sleep debt"?

The definition of "sleep debt" refers specifically to the cumulative effect that occurs when an individual does not get enough sleep over time. This concept illustrates how lack of adequate sleep can accumulate and lead to various negative impacts on health, cognitive function, and overall performance. When someone consistently sleeps less than their body requires, they build up a "debt" that can result in fatigue, decreased concentration, and impaired judgment, among other consequences.

Other options describe different aspects related to sleep, but do not capture the essence of sleep debt. For instance, the total number of hours slept in a week offers a snapshot of sleep quantity but does not account for the shortfall against an individual's ideal sleep needs. The amount of sleep needed for optimal performance emphasizes the ideal situation rather than the implications of insufficient sleep. Similarly, the difference between sleeping hours and awake hours fails to convey the concept of accumulation over time, which is central to understanding sleep debt.