New Light on Adolescent Suncare Practices

A study published online today by Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that many pre-adolescents aren’t using sunscreen on a regular basis.

Data were analyzed from 360 participants in a study conducted among fifth grade children in 2004 and again in 2007. In 2004, approximately 53% of the students reported having at least one sunburn during the previous summer, and this proportion did not significantly change by 2007, whereas liking a tan and spending time outside to get a tan significantly increased.

In 2004, 50% of students reported “often or always” use of sunscreen when outside for at least 6 hours in the summer; this proportion dropped to 25% at the follow-up evaluation, according to the study.

With at least 50% of children experiencing sunburns before age 11 and again 3 years later, targeting children in pediatric offices and community settings regarding unprotected UV exposure may be a practical approach, according to the authors. Because periadolescence is a time of volatility with regard to sun behaviors, learning more about children who receive sunburns versus those who avoid them is a critical research task.

The study was conducted among fifth-grade children from Framingham, MA, and surveys were administered at baseline (September–October 2004) and again 3 years later (September–October 2007). Surveys were analyzed to assess prevalence of reported sunburn and sun behaviors and to examine changes in response over the follow-up period.

The abstract and full study can be accessed here.