Do adolescent indoor tanners exhibit dependency?

Zeller, Sarah; Lazovich, DeAnn; Forster, Jean L.; Widome, Rachel

doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2005.12.038

Cited by 78 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…They are both prevalent in youth, are often initially perceived as image enhancing, and are health-risk behaviors that people participate in despite warnings. [20][21][22][23][24][25] A primary motivation for tanning behavior is appearance enhancement. However, tanners report other benefits such as mood enhancement, relaxation, and socialization, also consistent with addiction in which behaviors are reinforcing in specific, pleasurable ways.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Preliminary Investigation of the Predictors of Tanning Dependence

Heckman¹

2008

ajhb

102

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Objectives-To investigate possible predictors of tanning dependence including demographic variables, exposure and protective behaviors, and other health-related behaviors.Methods-This study consisted of an online survey of 400 students and other volunteers from a university community.Results-Twenty-seven percent of the sample was classified as tanning dependent. Tanning dependence was predicted by ethnicity and skin type, indoor and outdoor tanning and burning, and lower skin protective behaviors, as well as smoking and body mass index.Conclusions-Young adults are at risk for tanning dependence, which can be predicted by specific demographic and behavioral variables. Keywordstanning; skin cancer prevention; addiction Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, accounting for half of all human cancers, 1 with over a million new cases diagnosed yearly. 2 Ninety percent of all skin cancers are due to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). 2 Thanks to recent media attention, the US public has demonstrated increased awareness of the harmful effects of UVR. 3 Unfortunately, studies have also demonstrated that people, particularly young adults, continue to use minimal skin protection strategies yet receive large amounts of intentional and incidental exposure to UVR, either through sun exposure or from the use of tanning Address correspondence to Dr Heckman, Population Science, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 510 Townshipline Rd, First Floor, Cheltenham, PA 19012. Carolyn.Heckman@fccc.edu. NIH Public Access Author ManuscriptAm J Health Behav. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2014 July 09. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript salons. [3][4][5][6][7] As suggested by the continued exposure to UVR without adequate protection despite increasing awareness of risks, clearly there are strong motivations for such exposure and/ or significant barriers to engaging in protective behaviors. Most of the recent literature suggests that the effect on appearance is the primary motivation for sunbathing and tanning booth use. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] It is no wonder then that educational interventions targeting skin safety and cancer knowledge have fallen short in terms of changing actual tanning behavior. [11][12][13][14][15][16] However, there may be some individuals who tan excessively for reasons other than appearance. Like other health-risk behaviors, tanning behavior probably has multiple determinants.Similarities between excessive tanning and substance use disorders or addiction have been discussed formally in the literature recently and anecdotally for years. 17 In the lay media, the term tanorexia has been used to describe a preoccupation with the desire to be tan paired with excessive tanning, similar to anorexia nervosa or an obsessive desire to be thin paired with compulsive dietary behavior. 18 Tanorexia is illustrated by the recent explosion in media images of tan celebrities 18 and numbers of tanning salons 7,19 as well as sunless tanning products on the mar...

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confidence: 99%

A Preliminary Investigation of the Predictors of Tanning Dependence

Heckman¹

2008

ajhb

102

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“…Quitting was most difficult for those who had started tanning at an early age [10]. Adolescents who were 13 years or younger when they started tanning found it more difficult to quit indoor tanning than individuals who were 16-17 years old when they started.…”

Section: Editorialmentioning

confidence: 95%

Tanning addiction: current trends and future treatment

Poorsattar

Hornung

2010

Expert Review of Dermatology

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“…For example, daughters who tan for the first time with their mothers are over four times more likely than others to become heavy tanners [23]. Additionally, the earlier children begin indoor tanning, the more difficult they report it would be to quit [27].…”

Section: Restrictive Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%