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Nearly 30% of non-Hispanic white high school girls tanned indoors
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Nearly 30% of non-Hispanic white female high school students engaged in indoor tanning, with the percentage increasing by age, while about 25% of non-Hispanic white women also tanned indoors, according to recent study results.
Researchers reviewed data from the 2011 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the 2010 National Health Interview Survey for adults (aged 18 to 34 years). Overall prevalence of indoor tanning was estimated as were rates by age and region.
Indoor tanning was defined as using a sunlamp, tanning bed or tanning booth, excluding spray tans, at least once during the 12 months before each survey. Using the devices at least 10 times during the same period was considered frequent indoor tanning.
Of 2,527 non-Hispanic white high school girls (aged 14 years or younger to 18 years or older), 29.3% engaged in indoor tanning (95% CI, 25.1%-33.9%), while 16.7% participated in frequent indoor tanning (95% CI, 13.4%-20.7%). Indoor tanning and frequent indoor tanning prevalence increased with age (14.2%, ≤14 years vs. 43.8%, ≥18 years; and 6.2%, ≤14 years vs. 29.9%, ≥18 years, respectively). High school responders from the South (34%) indicated they tanned indoors the most followed by students in the Midwest (30.8%).
Of 1,857 non-Hispanic white women aged 18 to 34 years, 24.9% tanned indoors (95% CI, 22.5%-27.5%), and 15.1% engaged in frequent indoor tanning (95% CI, 13.3%-17.5%). In the cohort, the prevalence of indoor tanning and frequent indoor tanning decreased with age (31.8%, 18-21 years vs. 17.4%, 30-34 years; 21.3% vs.10.5%, respectively). The Midwest (28.7%) and the South (25.9%) had the highest percentage of indoor tanning in the cohort.
“Indoor tanning is widespread among non-Hispanic white female high school students and adults ages 18 to 34 years, and the frequent use of indoor tanning is common,” the researchers reported. “This widespread use is of great concern given the elevated risk of skin cancer among younger users and frequent users”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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