title: Testing children's ability to correctly use the "Shadow Rule" for sun protection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The "Shadow Rule" (SR) is a useful, immediate indicator of sunburn risk following the mnemonic "Short shadow? Seek shade!" However, some question people's ability to discern when their shadows are shorter or longer than them.
  
  
  METHODS
  N = 76 10-year-old children were taught the SR and then asked to estimate their sun-cast shadow length relative to their height and whether this meant they should seek shade. Children were then asked to estimate a doll's shadow length at 10 systematically randomised angles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children experienced greatest difficulty judging their shadows' lengths when they were equal to their height. At all other angles, they demonstrated high accuracy and 92 % of the time on average could correctly interpret the SR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ten-year-old children appear capable, and by extension adults too, of applying the SR. Future research is now required to establish if education about the SR will translate into sun protection behaviour change.
authors.affiliation: a Edith Cowan University , Joondalup , Australia.
authors.forename: Owen Brandon John
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: a Edith Cowan University , Joondalup , Australia.
authors.forename: Brennen William
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: a Edith Cowan University , Joondalup , Australia.
authors.forename: Gavin Noel
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Mazzucchelli
authors.affiliation: b St Stephen's School , Duncraig , Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine Wendy
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Carolan
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D014796:Visual Perception; D014904:Western Australia
keywords: child education; health promotion; melanoma; skin cancer; sun protection