Source
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway North East, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE:
Indoor tanning is a risk factor for developing melanoma. Although in 2009, 6.7% of male high school students reported using an indoor tanning device, compared with 25.4% of female students (Eaton DK, Kann L, Kinchen S, et al, MMWR Surveill Summ 2010;59:1-142), it is also less well characterized in male than in female adolescents.
METHODS:
The associations between appearance-related and other health-related behaviors with indoor tanning device use were examined among male high school students in the United States, using the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
RESULTS:
Adjusted analysis of cross-sectional data showed that indoor tanning device use was positively associated with ever having taken steroids without a doctor's prescription, unhealthy weight control practices, binge drinking, eating fruits and vegetables five or more times per day, playing on at least one sports team, and attempted suicide.
CONCLUSIONS:
Understanding the relationship between indoor tanning device use and appearance-related and other health-related behaviors is useful in designing risk reduction interventions for skin cancer prevention.
Published by Elsevier Inc.