Sun protective behaviors among adolescents and young adults in the United States

Abstract

PurposeWe described sun protective behaviors in adolescents and young adults (AYA) compared to older adults. MethodsWe used data from the 2013–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative samples of the civilian, noninstitutionalized US population (10,710 respondents aged between 20 and 59 and without a history of skin cancer diagnoses). The primary exposure for the study was age group: aged 20–39 defined as AYA and aged 40–59 as adults. The outcome variable was sun protective behaviors: stay in the shade, wear a long-sleeved shirt, use sunscreen, at least one of the three; and all three measures. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess association between age group and sun protective behaviors adjusting for sociodemographic factors. ResultsOverall, 51.3% of respondents were AYA, 76.1% reported staying in the shade, 50.9% using sunscreen, 33.3% wearing long-sleeved clothes, 88.1% engaging in one of the three behaviors, and 17.1% engaging in all three behaviors. In the adjusted models, the odds of engaging in all three behaviors among AYAs was 28% (aOR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.62–0.83) lower than adult respondents. Compared to adults, AYAs were 22% less likely to wear long sleeved clothes (aOR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.70–0.87). There were no significant differences in the odds of engaging in at least one sun protective behavior, using sunscreen, and staying in the shade between AYAs and adults. ConclusionsMore targeted interventions need to be implemented to decrease the risk of skin cancer in the AYA population.