> Four predetermined questions were posed regarding sun exposure: (i) How often do you sunbathe during the summertime? (never, 1−14 times, 15−30 times, >30 times); (ii) Do you sunbathe during the winter, such as on vacation to the mountains? (no, 1−3 days, 4−10 days, >10 days); (iii) Do you use tanning beds? (never, 1−3 times per year, 4−10 times per year, >10 times per year); and (iv) Do you go abroad on vacation to swim and sunbathe? (never, once every 1–2 years, once a year, two or more times per year). The four questions were dichotomized into yes/no in the analysis (i.e. sometimes versus no or never). We created a four-score variable as a measure of sun exposure depending on the number of ‘yes’ responses to the above questions on a scale from 0 (avoid sun exposure: reference) to 4 (greatest sun exposure). Sun exposure habits were categorized into three groups: zero ‘yes’ responses (avoidance of sun exposure; the main study group); ‘yes’ responses to one or two questions (moderate exposure); and ‘yes’ responses to three or four questions (greatest exposure).
Of note, the surveys are of Swedish women and were conducted in Swedish. There could be some translation nuance for the word "sunbathe" which doesn't map well to English, or other cultural differences to explain the "but no one I know actually sunbathes..." thought that I immediately jump to.
Having grown up in Denmark that thought sounds odd to me. People really don’t sunbathe where you’re from?
What do people do on the beach, or in the park all summer? Not to mention at the tanning salon, before going on vacation to sunbathe at the beach (can’t look pale when sunbathing!)
In NZ now - going to beach without protection even for an hour is suicide. Also avoid even going outside from 11am till 3pm at peak summer months.
I live in Western Australia, which is much sunnier than anywhere in NZ, and this sounds hyperbolic to me.
I've met plenty people here who "never wore a hat their life" and look like a prune. Personally I'm more comfortable at home than trying to find a shade everywhere you go.
0: https://www.ehinz.ac.nz/indicators/uv-exposure/daily-uv-leve...
I saw evidence that people sunbathed in some of these locations (it’s obvious on the beaches at least), but as far as I know none of my personal friends sunbathed. I suspect it’s just a cultural thing.
I'd say it is an extremely valuable , indispensable even, item in the scientific toolbelt.
I'm not trying to get a deep dark tan or anything. I just want to make my back and my chest match my arms and face a little bit more closely. Otherwise people laugh at you at pool parties!