Objective: To describe the prevalence and correlates of the use of sunless tanning products among US adolescents and their association with UV radiation exposure behaviors, including indoor tanning, sunburn experiences, and use of sunscreen while outdoors.
Design: Telephone-based, random-digit-dialed, cross-sectional survey conducted from July 1 through October 30, 2004.
Setting: Telephone-accessible households with resident adolescents living with parents or caregivers in the mainland United States.
Participants: Nationally representative, population-based sample of 1600 adolescents aged 11 to 18 years and their caregivers.
Main outcome measure: Prevalence of recent (past-year) use of sunless tanning products and UV radiation exposure behaviors.
Results: The prevalence of self-reported use of sunless tanning products in the past year among US adolescents was 10.8%. Adolescent users of these products were more likely to be older and female, to perceive a tanned appearance as desirable, to have a parent or caregiver who used sunless tanning products, and to hold positive beliefs or attitudes about these products. Use of sunless tanning products was independently associated with indoor tanning and higher frequency of sunburn but not with use of sunscreen.
Conclusions: Among US adolescents, 10.8% used sunless tanning products in the past year; this practice was associated with risky UV radiation exposure-related behaviors. Adolescents, therefore, must be educated about these products and the importance of avoiding indoor tanning and practicing sun-protective behaviors.