A recently published study highlighted results that indoor tanning rates have dropped among adults in the United States from 2010 and 2013.
The data was revealed by researchers who analyzed National Health Interview Survey Data taken between 2010 and 2013. This reflects a national representation of the country’s population aged 18 years and older. The data had response rates of 61.2% in 2013 and 60.8% in 2010.
Researchers analyzed National Health Interview Survey data from 2010 and 2013, which is a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population aged 18 years and older. Response rates were 60.8% in 2010 and 61.2% in 2013. The definition used was those individuals using an indoor tanning device at least once during the 12 months prior to the survey.
The research was conducted using log-linear regression to evaluate factors connected to indoor tanning, as well as to calculate the pervasiveness of indoor tanning.
The data indicated that in the period between 2010 and 2013, indoor tanning rates dropped from 5.5% to 4.2% among all adults. To break it down further, the rate among women reduced from 8.6% to 6.5%; while among men, the rate went from 2.2% to 1.7%.
Infrequent tanners — both male and female — was defined as tanning one to nine times per year, also showed reductions. The rate for males dropped from 1.4% to 1%, while the rate for women went from 3.7% to 2.8%.
Frequent tanners were defined as those people who tanned at least 10 times per year. Overall, the rate for women dropped from 4.8% to 3.6%. This reflects an adjusted rate analysis for indoor tanning frequency that included rates that were:
- 28% lower for women above the age of 50
- 45% lower among college graduates
- 33% lower among women in fair or poor health
- 23% lower among women who met aerobic or strength criteria
Statistics for male tanners in the adjusted analysis show:
- Indoor tanning frequency was 177% higher among men aged 40 to 49 years
- 71% higher in men aged 50 years or older
- Male cancer survivors had a 45% lower indoor tanning frequency
The researchers state, “Our findings indicate a temporal decrease in the prevalence of indoor tanning across several demographic groups,” They continue, “In our study in 2013, a total of 1.6 million fewer women and 0.4 million fewer men engaged in indoor tanning compared with 2010. Despite these reductions, our study found an estimated 7.8 million women and 1.90 million men continue to engage in indoor tanning.”
Dr. Thomas Wright of Laser Lipo and Vein states, “This research reflects encouraging news because avoiding indoor tanning is one of the easiest ways to lower your risk of skin cancer; plus, you get the added bonus of some extra money in your pocket.”
