Afarideh M, Sartori-Valinotti JC, Tollefson MM, et al. - Sun-protective behaviors do not have a considerable negative association with bone health or the risk of osteoporotic fractures. Overall, the safety and continued practice of sun-protective behaviors is supported.

• This population-based cross-sectional study utilized data from NHANES for 3,418 US adults 20 years and older.

• No association of sun-protective behaviors (ie, staying in the shade, wearing long sleeves, applying sunscreen) with diminished site-specific bone mineral density or with increased prevalence of osteoporotic bone fractures was found.

• The estimates in the multivariate models were −0.23, −0.08 and −0.10 for frequent staying in the shade, wearing of long sleeves, and sunscreen use, respectively.

• A modest reduction in the prevalence of osteoporotic fractures could be observed in relation to sun protection, likely due to risk-averse behaviors.