Vitamin d beliefs and associations with sunburns, sun exposure, and sun protection

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Bang Hyun Kim, University of Pennsylvania; Karen Glanz, Emory University; Eric Nehl, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2012-07
• Publisher: MDPI
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph9072386
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• ISSN: 1661-7827
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 7
• Start Page: 2386
• End Page: 2395
• Grant/Funding Information: Funding for this study was provided through the National Cancer Institute (NCI Grant #CA 92505).
• Keywords: sunscreen use; sun exposure habits; Sunburn; Sunscreening Agents; Adolescent; vitamin D knowledge; Sunlight; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; Vitamin D; Young Adult; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Female; Swimming Pools; United States; Male; Middle Aged; sun protection behavior; Humans
• Research Categories: Psychology, Behavioral; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to examine certain beliefs about vitamin D and associations with sun exposure, sun protection behaviors, and sunburns. A total of 3,922 lifeguards, pool managers, and parents completed a survey in 2006 about beliefs regarding vitamin D and sun-related behaviors. Multivariate ordinal regression analyses and linear regression analysis were used to examine associations of beliefs and other variables. Results revealed that Non-Caucasian lifeguards and pool managers were less likely to agree that they needed to go out in the sun to get enough vitamin D. Lifeguards and parents who were non-Caucasian were less likely to report that sunlight helped the body to produce vitamin D. A stronger belief about the need to go out in the sun to get enough vitamin D predicted more sun exposure for lifeguards. For parents, a stronger belief that they can get enough vitamin D from foods predicted greater sun protection and a stronger belief that sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D predicted lower sun exposure. This study provides information regarding vitamin D beliefs and their association with certain sun related behaviors across different demographic groups that can inform education efforts about vitamin D and sun protection.