Associations between sun exposure and other lifestyle variables in Swedish women

Abstract

Purpose: Sun exposure is associated with risk of several chronic diseases including cancer. The study aim is to investigate whether sun behaviours are related to other lifestyle risk factors of cancer. Results: Compared to non-drinkers, the prevalence ratio (95% CI) in women who drank >10 g of alcohol per day was 1.64 (1.49, 1.81) for having >1 sunburn per year, 1.39 (1.29, 1.51) for swimming and sunbathing >2.5 weeks per year and 1.55 (1.41, 1.70) for using a solarium >1 time per 2 months, adjusting for demographic and lifestyle variables. Tobacco smokers were less likely to report sunburn and to use sunscreen, and more likely to sunbath and use solaria, compared with non-smokers. MethodsPhysical activity was associated positively with swimming and sunbathing, and with the separate use of solaria and sunscreens, but not with number of sunburns. The lifestyle variables that explained most of the variation in sun behaviour were alcohol and smoking. Conclusions:Our results suggest that alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking are potential lifestyle confounders which should be adjusted in studies investigating the association that sun and/or solarium exposure may have with risk of several cancer sites.

Associations of Self-Reported Sun Exposure and 25- Hydroxyvitamin D with Blood Pressure: Cross-Sectional Analysis from a Multi-Ethnic Community Sample

“…For example, a small study from Germany (n = 17) found that UVB given over 6 weeks lowered BP compared to UVA [21]. In contrast, a larger study from New Zealand (n = 119) found no differences in BP between the UVB and UVA arms after 12 weeks of intervention [22,23].…”

“…Data from a large Swedish study of women sampled from the community found that sun exposure behaviour is confounded by lifestyle variables: physical exercise, alcohol drinking, and tobacco smoking [22]. Furthermore, a cross-sectional study from Brazil showed age, education, and income were associated with sun exposure [24].…”