When it comes to protecting preschoolers from the sun's harmful rays, parents aren't doing so hot, a Florida State University study says.
FSU researchers found that more than half of parents surveyed said their child never wears sunscreen while attending day care, according to a study published in the Family and Consumer Research Journal. Textile and consumer sciences professors Catherine Black, Kay Grise and Jeanne Heitmeyer and family and child sciences professor Christine Readdick conducted the study.
"Parents have a positive attitude about sun protection, yet many send their kids out to play every day without proper protection," Readdick said, noting that parents are more likely to apply sunscreen when a child is swimming than playing outside.
Parents also did not dress children with sun protection in mind despite the fact that outdoor play sessions at nine North Florida day care centers lasted an average of 57 minutes. After surveying their parents, FSU researchers observed 100 preschoolers playing outdoors at the centers during the summer months and found that their clothing - most often cotton T-shirts and shorts - did not provide adequate protection from the sun.
Although 89 percent of parents believed that sunglasses and hats would reduce a child's risk of skin cancer, only two children were seen wearing sunglasses and only one child was seen wearing a hat, the study found. The average temperature was 89 degrees and the average UV index rating was 9 during observation times.
"This is of serious concern because the survey showed the parents were knowledgeable about skin cancer, and they professed confidence in their ability to limit their children's sun exposure, but they failed to do so," Readdick said, explaining that there is evidence that high exposure to sunlight in early childhood is associated with a high risk of developing skin cancer - particularly malignant melanoma - as an adult.
Medical authorities advocate the use of sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater and sun avoidance between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses is recommended.
If parents did not always dress children appropriately, it may have been because of the limited amount of sun-protective clothing and products for children in retail stores. The researchers surveyed 15 retail stores and found that 80 percent carried baseball caps and straw hats for children but the selection and quantities were very limited. Only 40 percent had UV-protective sunglasses for children and 27 percent carried sun visors. Most sales associates said they had no knowledge about sun-protective apparel for children.
The study underscores the need for parents to step up their efforts to protect their children from the sun and work with day care staff to ensure that the protective items they send to the center with their child - a hat and sunscreen, for example - are used. The study also points out the need to educate retail buyers of children's clothing and store personnel of the importance of stocking and displaying children's sun-protective clothing and accessories.
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