Walking and Sun Protective Behaviors: Cross-Sectional Associations of Beneficial Health Factors

Abstract

Sun protective behaviors and physical activity have the potential to reduce cancer risk. Walking is the most common type of physical activity in the United States, but it is unclear whether sun protective behaviors differ by categories of walking, such as leisure versus transportation walking. We examined whether sun protective behaviors varied by category or duration of walking in the 2015 National Health Interview Survey (N = 26,632), age ≥ 18 years. We used logistic regression to estimate sunscreen use, sun avoidance, and sun protective clothing use by four categories of walking (no reported walking, transportation only, leisure only, or walking for both) and separately for walking duration for the general population and sun-sensitive individuals. Prevalence of sunscreen use varied across walking categories and the odds of use were higher with longer walking duration for transportation and leisure compared to those who reported no walking. Sun avoidance varied across walking categories and the odds of avoidance were lower with longer duration leisure but not transportation walking. Sun protective clothing varied across walking categories and the odds of use were higher for longer duration transportation, but not leisure walking. Data on the concurrence of walking and sun protection is needed to further understand the relationship between these health behaviors. By examining leisure and transportation walking, we found variations in sun protective behaviors that may provide important insight into strategies to increase sun protection while promoting physical activity.

The Association between Self-Rated Health Status, Psychosocial Stress, Eating Behaviors, and Food Intake According to the Level of Sunlight Exposure in Korean Adults

“…A recent Australian study showed widespread and increased use of sunscreen among adults, and physical activity was associated with lower shade-seeking behavior but was associated with higher odds of other sun protection behaviors, such as sun protective clothing and accessories [24,25]. In another study of Australian adults, those who met the physical activity guidelines were more likely to apply sunscreen while outdoors, whereas those who did not meet the guidelines were more likely to seek shade [26,27]. Shade-seeking behavior is influenced by a variety of factors other than sunscreen use, and further research may investigate whether longer periods of physical activity explain higher health perceptions and sun-protective behaviors.…”

Sunburn and sun protection during recreational outdoor sport in summer: Findings from the German general population aged 16–65 years

“…The few studies available to date have identified deficits in sun protection. Duquia et al 18 and Tribby et al 19 showed that only about one‐third of their population‐based samples used sunscreen during sports activity outdoors. The use of sun protection measures other than sunscreen has been little studied to date.…”

Associations between ultraviolet radiation, tree cover and adolescent sunburns

“…However, few studies have measured time spent outdoors, physical activity and sunburn risk concurrently. Walking, the most common physical activity in the U.S., was not generally associated with sunburns [ 15 ]. One sun protective behavior, using sunscreen, is associated with increased odds of sunburns [ 13 ], whereas other sun protective behaviors, such as seeking shade, wearing a hat, and sun protective clothing, are associated with decreased risk of sunburns [ 16 ].…”