SUNBATHING AND SUNBED USE RELATED TO SELF-IMAGE IN A RANDOMIZED SAMPLE OF SWEDISH ADOLESCENTS

In 1996 a randomized sample of 4,020 Swedish adolescents from three bi rth cohorts were sent a questionnaire consisting of 50 items concernin g habitual sun-related behaviours and attitudes, knowledge about melan oma, risk perception and self-image. A total of 2,615 questionnaires w ere returned. Girls sunbathed and used sunbeds more than boys at all a ges. Sunbathing and sunbed use increased,vith age. Boys who were most satisfied and girls least satisfied with themselves sunbathed most. Th ose who were least satisfied with themselves used sunbeds most frequen tly, Girls reported a higher perceived susceptibility to melanoma than did boys, The perception of susceptibility increased,vith age, Those who were least satisfied with themselves reported feeling most suscept ible. The overall main reason for sunbathing was appearance, both for own sunbathing, and to an even higher degree, as a supposed reason for other adolescents' behaviour, and was reported most frequently by gir ls and the older age groups, The second most 'important' reason for su nbathing was 'feeling warm and comfortable', Preventive programmes aim ed at a change of sun related behaviours among Swedish adolescents hav e to be tailored to the climate and cultural conditions and must take into account that having a tan, and the warmth of the sun, are highly valued by most adolescents. (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.