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Reality TV beauty show viewership related to indoor, outdoor tanning
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Watching reality TV beauty shows was associated with tanning lamp use and outdoor tanning among college students, according to study results.
Researchers surveyed 576 students (mean age, 22.7 years; 51.7% women) at a college in Brooklyn, N.Y., on their viewing habits of reality TV beauty shows, such as “America’s Next Top Model” and “Toddlers & Tiaras,” tanning lamp use and outdoor tanning behavior. Students were 41.1% white, 21.4% Asian, 13.5% black, 9.6% Hispanic, 5.1% South Asian, and 9.3% indicated other.
The survey also included questions regarding the use of Facebook in discussing reality TV and media attitude questions about connectivity with the shows.
Tanning lamp use (12.9% vs. 3.7%; P<.001) and outdoor tanning (43.3% vs. 28.7%; P<.001) were reported by a significantly higher percentage of students who watched the programs compared with those who did not. Watching reality TV (OR=2.58; 95% CI, 1.11-6), increasing age (OR=1.17; 95% CI, 1.04-1.32) and female sex (OR=10.16; 95% CI, 3.29-31.41) significantly predicted tanning lamp use. Viewing the shows also was a significant predictor of outdoor tanning (OR=2.11; 95% CI, 1.33-3.34). Associations between particular shows and behavior were not available because specific show names were not obtained.
No associations were found between media variables or Facebook discussions and tanning lamp use and outdoor tanning.
“Dermatologists should consider discussing the potential harmful aspects of tanning beds and outdoor tanning, especially with their patients who watch reality TV beauty shows,” the researchers concluded.
“Physician groups, public health practitioners and government health agencies should consider discussing with TV shows the potential negative impact of media personalities who appear tanned on their TV shows and also the discussion of tanning promotion on TV shows. Furthermore … it can be worthwhile to seek TV celebrities to actively discourage tanning lamp use and outdoor tanning to counter the media messages promoting this unhealthy tanning behavior on reality TV.”
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