Prevalence Of Indoor Tanning Research Articles

Availability of tanning beds on US college campuses.

Indoor tanning is widespread among young adults in the United States despite evidence establishing it as a risk factor for skin cancer. The availability of tanning salons on or near college campuses has not been formally evaluated. To evaluate the availability of indoor tanning facilities on US college and university campuses (colleges) and in off-campus housing surrounding but not owned by the college. This observational study sampled the top 125 US colleges and universities listed in US News and World Report. Investigators searched websites of the colleges and nearby housing and contacted them by telephone inquiring about tanning services. Frequency of indoor tanning facilities on college campus and in off-campus housing facilities, as well as payment options for tanning. Of the 125 colleges, 48.0% had indoor tanning facilities either on campus or in off-campus housing, and 14.4% of colleges allow campus cash cards to be used to pay for tanning. Indoor tanning was available on campus in 12.0% of colleges and in off-campus housing in 42.4% of colleges. Most off-campus housing facilities with indoor tanning (96%) provide it free to tenants. Midwestern colleges had the highest prevalence of indoor tanning on campus (26.9%), whereas Southern colleges had the highest prevalence of indoor tanning in off-campus housing facilities (67.7%). Presence of on-campus tanning facilities was significantly associated with enrollment (P = .01), region (P = .02), and presence of a school of public health (P = .01) but not private vs public status (P = .18) or presence of a tobacco policy (P = .16). Presence of tanning facilities in off-campus housing was significantly associated with region (P = .002) and private vs public status (P = .01) but not enrollment (P = .38), tobacco policy (P = .80), or presence of a school of public health (P = .69). Reducing the availability of indoor tanning on and around college campuses is an important public health target.

Indoor Tanning Among High School Students in the United States, 2009 and 2011

Indoor tanning is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, and is particularly dangerous for younger and more frequent indoor tanners. To examine the prevalence of indoor tanning and frequent indoor tanning (≥10 times during the 12 months before each survey) and their association with health-related behaviors. A cross-sectional study examined data from the 2009 and 2011 national Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, which used nationally representative samples of US high school students representing approximately 15.5 million students each survey year. The study included 25,861 students who answered the indoor tanning question. The prevalence of indoor tanning and frequent indoor tanning were examined as well as their association with demographic characteristics and health-related behaviors using multivariable logistic regression modeling. The prevalence of indoor tanning was greater among female, older, and non-Hispanic white students. Indoor tanning was highest among female students aged 18 years or older, with 31.5% engaging in indoor tanning in 2011, and among non-Hispanic white female students, with 29.3% engaging in indoor tanning in 2011. Among female students, the adjusted prevalence of indoor tanning decreased from 26.4% in 2009 to 20.7% in 2011. Among female and male students, indoor tanning was associated with other risk-taking behaviors, such as binge drinking (P < .001 and P = .006, respectively), unhealthy weight control practices (P < .001, for both), and having sexual intercourse (P < .001, for both). Additionally, indoor tanning among female students was associated with using illegal drugs (P < .001) and having sexual intercourse with 4 or more persons (P = .03); use among male students was associated with taking steroids without a physician's prescription (P < .001), smoking cigarettes daily (P = .03), and attempting suicide (P = .006). More than half of respondents engaging in indoor tanning reported frequent use of the devices. Indoor tanning is common among high school students. Public health efforts are needed to change social norms regarding tanned skin and to increase awareness, knowledge, and behaviors related to indoor tanning. The clustering of risky behaviors suggests a need for coordinated, multifaceted approaches, including primary care physician counseling, to address such behaviors among adolescents.

Masculine Boys, Feminine Girls, and Cancer Risk Behaviors: An 11-Year Longitudinal Study

ObjectiveCancer risk behaviors often begin in adolescence and persist through adulthood. Tobacco use, indoor tanning, and physical inactivity are highly prevalent, socially patterned cancer risk behaviors, and their prevalence differs strongly by sex. It is therefore possible that these behaviors also differ by gender expression within the sexes due to social patterning. MethodsWe examined whether five cancer risk behaviors differed by childhood gender expression within the sexes and whether patterns of media engagement (e.g., magazine readership and trying to look like media personalities) explained possible differences, in a U.S. population–based cohort (N = 9,435). ResultsThe most feminine girls had higher prevalence of indoor tanning (prevalence risk ratio [pRR] = 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23–1.42) and physical inactivity (pRR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.01–1.34) and lower prevalence of worse smoking trajectory (prevalence odds ratio = .75, 95% CI = .65–.88) and smoking cigars (pRR = .61, 95% CI = .47–.79) compared with least feminine girls. Media engagement accounted for part of the higher prevalence of indoor tanning. The most masculine boys were more likely to chew tobacco (pRR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.14–2.79) and smoke cigars (pRR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.17–2.06) but less likely to follow a worse smoking trajectory (prevalence odds ratio = .69, 95% CI = .55–.87) and be physically inactive (pRR = .54, 95% CI = .43–.69) compared with least masculine boys. ConclusionsWe found some strong differences in patterns of cancer risk behaviors by gender expression within the sexes. Prevention efforts that challenge the “masculinity” of smoking cigarettes and cigars and chewing tobacco and the “femininity” of indoor tanning to reduce their appeal to adolescents should be explored.

International Prevalence of Indoor Tanning

Indoor tanning is a known carcinogen, but the scope of exposure to this hazard is not known. To summarize the international prevalence of exposure to indoor tanning. Studies were identified through systematic searches of PubMed (1966 to present), Scopus (1823 to present), and Web of Science (1898 to present) databases, last performed on March 16, 2013. We also hand searched reference lists to identify records missed by database searches and publicly available data not yet published in the scientific literature. Records reporting a prevalence of indoor tanning were eligible for inclusion. We excluded case-control studies, reports with insufficient study information, and reports of groups recruited using factors related to indoor tanning. Two independent investigators performed searches and study selection. Our search yielded 1976 unique records. After exclusions, 161 records were assessed for eligibility in full text, and 88 were included. Two independent investigators extracted data on characteristics of study participants, inclusion/exclusion criteria, data collection format, outcomes, and statistical methods. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to summarize the prevalence of indoor tanning in different age categories. We calculated the population proportional attributable risk of indoor tanning in the United States, Europe, and Australia for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and melanoma. Ever and past-year exposure to indoor tanning. The summary prevalence of ever exposure was 35.7% (95% CI, 27.5%-44.0%) for adults, 55.0% (33.0%-77.1%) for university students, and 19.3% (14.7%-24.0%) for adolescents. The summary prevalence of past-year exposure was 14.0% (95% CI, 11.5%-16.5%) for adults, 43.1% (21.7%-64.5%) for university students, and 18.3% (12.6%-24.0%) for adolescents. These results included data from 406 696 participants. The population proportional attributable risk were 3.0% to 21.8% for NMSC and 2.6% to 9.4% for melanoma, corresponding to more than 450 000 NMSC cases and more than 10 000 melanoma cases each year attributable to indoor tanning in the United States, Europe, and Australia. Exposure to indoor tanning is common in Western countries, especially among young persons. Given the large number of skin cancer cases attributable to indoor tanning, these findings highlight a major public health issue.

Indoor Tanning Among Young Non-Hispanic White Females

Indoor tanning is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer, especially among frequent users and those initiating use at a young age.1,2 Indoor tanning before age 35 years increases melanoma risk by 59% to 75%,1 while use before age 25 years increases nonmelanoma skin cancer risk by 40% to 102%.2 Moreover, melanoma risk increases by 1.8% with each additional tanning session per year.1 Melanoma incidence rates are steadily increasing, especially among young non-Hispanic white females, which may be due, in part, to indoor tanning.1,3 Currently, prevalence estimates of indoor tanning among this population are limited. Therefore, we examined the prevalence of indoor tanning and frequent indoor tanning (≥10 times) using nationally representative data among non-Hispanic white female high school students and adults ages 18 to 34 years.

Improving Understanding About Tanning Behaviors in College Students: A Pilot Study

Objective: Melanoma is the second most common cancer diagnosed among 15- to 29-year-olds. This pilot study assessed behaviors, barriers, and beliefs relevant to sun exposure and protective behaviors. Participants: The sample comprised 153 undergraduate students at a large state university in western New York. Methods: Participants completed an online survey about sun safety habits, barriers to using sunblock, and beliefs about tanning and sun exposure. Results: Response rate was 90.8% (n = 139). Most students (87.8%) reportedly spent ≥ 3 hours per day outside in the summer, but only 17.3% reported always using sunblock during this time. Sixty percent reported recent indoor tanning and 41% reported more than 10 lifetime sunburns. The greatest barrier to using sunblock was forgetting (84.2%). Conclusions: Demographics coupled with inconsistent and low levels of sunblock use, high annual prevalence of indoor tanning, and multiple lifetime sunburns indicate that this sample is at high risk for skin cancer.

State Regulations Have Not Decreased Indoor Tanning by Adolescents

Dermatology| May 01 2009 State Regulations Have Not Decreased Indoor Tanning by Adolescents AAP Grand Rounds (2009) 21 (5): 52. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.21-5-52 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation State Regulations Have Not Decreased Indoor Tanning by Adolescents. AAP Grand Rounds May 2009; 21 (5): 52. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.21-5-52 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All AAP SitesAll PublicationsAll JournalsAAP Grand RoundsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP News Search Advanced Search Topics: artificial tanning Source: Cokkinides V, Weinstock M, Lazovich D, et al. Indoor tanning use among adolescents in the US, 1998 to 2004. Cancer. 2009;115(1):190–198; doi:10.1002/cncr.24010 Investigators from the American Cancer Society, Brown University, and the University of Minnesota assessed the change in the prevalence of indoor tanning among US adolescents between 1998 and 2004. During this period legislation regulating youth access to indoor tanning facilities was passed in 11 states; eight states had such policies prior to 1998.1,2 In 1998 and 2004, the American Cancer Society conducted national population-based cross-sectional telephone surveys of behaviors related to skin cancer risk among 11- to 18-year-old youths and their caregivers. Both adolescents and their caregivers were asked questions regarding use of indoor tanning booths or sunlamps, frequency of use of indoor tanning in the past year,... Copyright © 2009 by the American Academy of Pediatrics2009 You do not currently have access to this content.

Indoor tanning in North Rhine‐Westphalia Germany: a self‐reported survey

We examined the prevalence of indoor tanning in North Rhine-Westphalia and identified correlates of sunbed use. During regular skin cancer screening campaigns 1242 subjects completed and returned a structured questionnaire on constitutional parameters and indoor tanning habits. The regular sunbed user rate (more than 10 exposures/year) was 15.4% (191/1242). Most sunbed users were under 29 years of age. The number of female sunbed users was greater than the number of male users. Respondents with secondary modern school qualification used sunbeds more infrequently than respondents with junior high school and high school qualifications. Respondents with skin type III and IV used sunbeds more frequently. Tanning and preparation for sunny holidays were the main reasons for sunbed use. The most frequently reported positive effects experienced by means of sunbed use were improved appearance and relaxation. Most respondents indicated that they hardly or never had sunburns following indoor tanning. Almost half of respondents consider radiation generated by sunbeds somewhat dangerous. Use of indoor tanning in North Rhine-Westphalia has increased and is significantly associated with female gender, younger age, high-level education, and skin type III and IV. The motivation for sunbed use and benefits experienced are mainly based on the perception of improved appearance due to tan and increased sense of well-being.

Sunbed Use in German Adults: Risk Awareness Does Not Correlate With Behaviour

In Europe, little is known about the prevalence of indoor tanning. The aims of this study were therefore to estimate the prevalence of sunbed use and to identify risk groups and motives in a population-based survey. The cross-sectional "SUN-Study 2008" ("Sunbed-Use: Needs for Action-Study 2008") was conducted in 2008. A total of 500 adults, aged 18-45 years, were randomly selected and asked about their indoor tanning practices, their motivation and risk perception, and the compliance of staff with international sunbed use recommendations. Forty-seven percent of subjects reported having visited an indoor tanning facility at least once in their lives. Prevalence of use was not reduced in risk groups for skin cancer. Risk awareness of users equalled that of non-users. The poor quality of services and advice provided by many solariums was alarming. It can be concluded that appropriate measures to change tanning habits need to be identified. Legal regulations could be one option.

Prevalence and correlates of indoor tanning among US adults

Little is known about the prevalence of indoor tanning among the US general adult population. This study sought to: (1) describe the prevalence of indoor tanning throughout adulthood; (2) identify demographic and psychosocial correlates of indoor tanning; and (3) determine whether these correlates vary by age group. This study used data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, an annual health survey of the US adult population. Indoor tanning rates were higher among individuals who were young, white, and female. Rates of indoor tanning in the last year varied from 20.4% for those aged 18 to 29 years to 7.8% for those aged 65 years and older. A variety of demographic, health, and behavioral health risk factors correlated with indoor tanning. The study design was cross-sectional and all data were self-reported. Health care providers should address indoor tanning as a health risk factor across the lifespan.

Indoor tanning by adolescents: prevalence, practices and policies

Despite known acute and chronic health effects from the use of indoor tanning, including the potential for all forms of skin cancer, the practice is popular in the United States (US) and Europe. A review of the scientific literature that examines adolescents and indoor tanning use was undertaken, summarising what is known about prevalence and practices among adolescents, characteristics associated with adolescent use, and policies that regulate adolescent access to indoor tanning facilities. The prevalence of indoor tanning is consistently found to be higher among girls than boys and to increase with age in both Europe and the US. An examination of other demographic characteristics, skin cancer risk factors, knowledge, attitudes and social factors points to higher prevalence of the behaviour among adolescents with positive attitudes towards tans and whose friends or parents also tan indoors. Adolescent access to indoor tanning is rarely regulated in the US or Europe, and where regulations exist, business compliance is low. In addition, businesses actively market their product to adolescents as they organise to limit further regulations prohibiting adolescent access. Pricing, licensure, advertising restrictions and media campaigns, in combination with adolescent-targeted interventions, are possible strategies that could be tested for their effectiveness to reduce adolescent indoor tanning use. Harm reduction policies, such as eye protection, that reduce risk for adolescents who choose to tan indoors, are also important.