title: Vitamin D beliefs and associations with sunburns, sun exposure, and sun protection.
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.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Behavior Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 423 Guardian Ave., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. bangk@upenn.edu
authors.forename: Bang Hyun
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Glanz
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Nehl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013471:Sunburn / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013551:Swimming Pools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D014807:Vitamin D