Intentional outdoor tanning study finds common sun-seeking among US adults
A JAMA Dermatology analysis of 31,615 U.S. adults links tanning with age, race, exercise and alcohol use.
By Priya Raghavan · Science Reporter
2 min read
A new intentional outdoor tanning study found that about three in 10 U.S. women and more than one in four U.S. men reported deliberately tanning outdoors. The findings matter for skin cancer prevention because the behavior varied by age, race and ethnicity, sun sensitivity, physical activity and alcohol use, according to researchers writing in JAMA Dermatology.
Dawn M. Holman of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and colleagues analyzed data from 31,615 adults in the 2024 National Health Interview Survey. The study reported an unadjusted prevalence of intentional outdoor tanning of 30.2% among women and 26.6% among men.
Who is most likely to tan outdoors on purpose?
Among women, the highest reported prevalence was in adults ages 18 to 29, at 48.1%, according to the study. The researchers also found higher levels among non-Hispanic White women, at 41.3%, women who were not sun-sensitive, at 38.3%, women who met both aerobic and strength activity guidelines, at 39.5%, and women who engaged in heavy or binge drinking, at 47.2%.
The pattern for men was similar in several groups, though the percentages differed. The study reported the highest prevalence among men ages 18 to 29, at 29.9%; non-Hispanic White men, at 30.5%; sun-sensitive men, at 28.7%; men meeting both aerobic and strength guidelines, at 32.2%; and men reporting heavy or binge drinking, at 31.2%.
The authors also reported additional differences by education, weight status and relationship status. Among women, prevalence was higher among those with some college education, at 37.5%, and those with a healthy weight, at 38.7%. Among men, the researchers reported higher prevalence among those who were married or partnered, at 25.8%.
What does intentional outdoor tanning mean?
Intentional outdoor tanning refers to deliberately spending time in the sun to get a tan. In this study, the term was used to measure a chosen behavior, rather than incidental sun exposure during work, commuting or other activities.
The study did not report that one demographic or behavioral factor caused tanning. It identified groups in which intentional outdoor tanning was more common, giving researchers and public health officials possible targets for future prevention work.
Holman and colleagues wrote that the findings support addressing intentional outdoor tanning as part of skin cancer prevention. They said the differences by demographic and behavioral factors point to settings for future research and interventions.
The paper, “Prevalence and Associated Factors of Intentional Outdoor Tanning Among US Adults,” was published in JAMA Dermatology.
This story draws on original reporting from Medical Xpress.