Study: Indoor Tanning Statistics For Older Generations

A recent health survey of American adults suggests that as many as 10 percent of those between 50 and 64 years of age and eight percent of those older than 65 tan indoors.

Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia analyzed data from a 2005 in-home interview of 29,394 adults—part of an annual health survey called the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Their findings were published online in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

The survey included questions about indoor tanning behaviors in the previous year. Self-reported indoor tanning statistics were:

• 20 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds tanned
• 17 percent of 30- to 39-year-olds tanned
• 14 percent of 40- to 49-year-olds tanned
• 10 percent of 50- to 60-year-olds tanned
• 8 percent of those 65 years of age and older tanned

Overall, the majority of those who reported tanning indoors were female; however, the division by gender was not as great among older adults. In the 18-29 age range, 27 percent of tanners were female while 13 percent were male. For the 65 and older group, eight percent were male and seven percent were female.