Question 1

Am I a sun avoider or a sun seeker?

Accepted Answer

This six-question profiler — modelled on the simple sun-habit instruments used by Lindqvist's Melanoma in Southern Sweden cohort and Stevenson and Weller's UK Biobank analysis — places you on the avoider-to-seeker spectrum across three groups: Sun Avoider (0–1), Moderate (2–4) and Sun Seeker (5–6).

Question 2

Is avoiding the sun bad for you?

Accepted Answer

In low-sunlight countries, possibly. In the Melanoma in Southern Sweden cohort, sun avoiders had roughly double the all-cause mortality rate of the highest-exposure group, and the UK Biobank analysis found more-active sun-seekers at lower risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality. These are observational associations, not proof of cause, and higher exposure also raises skin-cancer risk — but they undercut the idea that less sun is always better, especially at high latitudes.

Question 3

How is sun-exposure behaviour measured?

Accepted Answer

Deliberately simply. Lindqvist's cohort classified people by the number of yes answers to four questions — sunbathing in summer, sunbathing in winter, tanning-bed use, and sun holidays abroad. Stevenson and Weller's UK Biobank analysis split participants into less-active versus more-active sun-seekers. This tool follows that minimalist design: six yes/no behaviours summed into three groups.

Are you a sun avoider or a sun seeker?

In summer, do you regularly spend time outdoors in direct sunlight — training, sport, or leisure?