Culture and Sun Exposure in Immigrant East Asian Women Living in Australia

Abstract

In this qualitative study, researchers examined cultural and attitudinal factors that might be related to sun-exposure behaviors among East Asian women living in Australia. Researchers asked Chinese (n = 20) and Korean (n = 16) immigrant women who participated in a larger cross-sectional quantitative study of vitamin D blood levels to volunteer to participate in an in-depth interview in 2010. These women reported a number of cultural factors related to their attitudes and behaviors with regard to sun exposure. They expressed preference for fair skin, a tradition of covering skin when outdoors, and no sunbathing culture. They believed that fair skin was more beautiful than tanned skin. They reported that beauty was the reason for active avoidance of sunlight exposure. Although they reported knowledge of the need for sun avoidance due to skin cancer risk, few reported knowledge about the benefits of sun exposure for adequate vitamin D levels. These findings may provide some reasons for vitamin D deficiency previously reported in these populations. Thus, researchers recommend that these attitudes of excessive sun protection and limiting sun exposure be further investigated as they may have implications for planning and delivery of health promotion programs to this growing population of immigrants in Australia.

Vitamin D status in Thai dermatologists and working‐age Thai population

“…In Western countries such as Australia, the UK, USA and Canada, sun protection has been strongly advocated to prevent skin cancer, which is a major public health problem. 44,45 In our study, sunscreen was the most frequently used sunprotection measure, regularly used by 91% of all dermatologists and mainly on the face. A 10-year study from 2001 to 2012 of Australian adolescents' sun-protective behavior revealed a significantly decreasing trend of using a hat, unchanged trends of using sunscreen and protective clothing (usually and always in 66% and 56% of the study population, respectively), but an increasing trend of staying inside (usually and always in 45% of the participants).…”

“…38,39 There have been many major campaigns for sun protection in those countries, albeit with limited success, especially in the younger population. 45 The important challenge facing dermatologists and endocrinologists alike is to effectively advocate exposure to sufficient sunlight for optimal vitamin D synthesis while avoiding too much exposure, to prevent photo-aging, tanning, photo-induced skin disease and skin cancer. 40 A 5-year study from 2007 to 2012 of adults' sun-protective behavior showed an increasing trend of sunscreen use, but other protection means remained stable.…”

Attractiveness as a motive for tanning: Results of representative nationwide survey in Germany

“…In addition to this, according to our bivariate analyses, attractiveness seems to play a more important role for individuals with an im- 20 Perhaps individuals in this subgroup consider tanned skin to be more attractive and more desirable. While previous studies have shown that individuals from Asia and Africa tend to prefer fair skin over tanned skin, 21,22 less is known about skin tone preferences in populations from Mediterranean countries.…”

“…Perhaps individuals in this subgroup consider tanned skin to be more attractive and more desirable. While previous studies have shown that individuals from Asia and Africa tend to prefer fair skin over tanned skin, less is known about skin tone preferences in populations from Mediterranean countries. With regard to the association with educational level, as has previously been suggested, it can be assumed that less well‐educated individuals are more susceptible to images of tanned people conveyed in popular media.…”

Pediatric Skin of Color

“…In African-American communities, sun protective behaviors may need to be taught and emphasized, as there may be a lack of sun protection culture. Asians from Asia have traditionally been strict with their sun protection, associating fair skin with beauty [ 169 ]. However, Asian Americans have tended to embrace the Western ideals of beauty and may not practice sun protection [ 170 ].…”