title: Parents' perceptions of skin cancer threat and children's physical activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sun exposure is a major risk factor for skin cancer, but without physical activity, children are at risk of childhood obesity. The objective of this study was to explore relationships between parental perceptions of skin cancer threat, sun protection behaviors, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional analysis nested within the Colorado Kids Sun Care Program sun safety intervention trial. In summer 2007, parent telephone interviews provided data on demographics, perceptions of skin cancer threat, sun protection behaviors, and physical activity. Physical examinations provided data on phenotype, freckling, and BMI. Data from 999 Colorado children born in 1998 were included in analysis. We used analysis of variance, Spearman's rho (ρ) correlation, and multivariable linear regression analysis to evaluate relationships with total amount of outdoor physical activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, skin color, and sun protection, regression analysis showed that each unit increase in perceived severity of nonmelanoma skin cancer was associated with a 30% increase in hours of outdoor physical activity (P = .005). Hours of outdoor physical activity were not related to perceived severity of melanoma or perceived susceptibility to skin cancer. BMI-for-age was not significantly correlated with perceptions of skin cancer threat, use of sun protection, or level of physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The promotion of sun safety is not likely to inhibit physical activity. Skin cancer prevention programs should continue to promote midday sun avoidance and sun protection during outdoor activities.
authors.affiliation: Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aalborg
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Asdigian
authors.forename: Joseph G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.forename: Stefan T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Mokrohisky
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Dellavalle
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berwick
authors.forename: Neil F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Box
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Crane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003120:Colorado; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010808:Physical Examination; D011998:Recreation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D012923:Social Class; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors