Performance-enhancing supplements (sports drugs) in the United States and the number of steroid users are on the rise. News stories about famous athletes using steroids have become common occurrence. Shocking as it may sound, the use of anabolic steroids is increasing among teens (males and females) for different reasons.

Performance enhancing supplements

Teens prefer to use the following kinds of performance-enhancing drugs and supplements:

Creatine: Naturally occurring compound in the human body, but can also be purchased easily as over-the-counter supplement. Used for muscle and strength recovery after heavy exercise. Commonly used by wrestlers, football players, and gymnasts.

Anabolic steroids: This is the synthetic version of the male sex hormone testosterone and enhances strength and muscle building.

Steroid precursors: These include androstenedione ("andro") and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which are converted into anabolic steroids inside the body. Also used to increase muscle mass.

Why do teens use steroids?

The foremost reason is the influence of mass media and how it bombards the public with images and videos of perfect male/female specimen. Teens use steroids to cope with issues related to body image and other insecurities associated with youth of the space age. Others use it due to peer and societal pressure.

The following factors may contribute towards use of these drugs among youth:

To gain immediate muscle and strength
Peer, parental and societal pressure on teens to enhance performance
Blindly following the ‘bigger, stronger, faster’ philosophy
 

Effects of steroids on teenagers

The side effects of steroids are reversible in some cases and irreversible in others. The common side effects include shrinking of testicles and growth of breasts in boys, and sprouting out of facial hair accompanied with deepening voice in girls. Other health issues include:

Weak joints and muscles
High blood pressure
Liver problems
Mood swings
Facial bloating
Needle marks in the buttocks or thighs
 

Heads-up for parents, teachers, coaches

According to available data, children as young as 10 years old are using steroids.

"The latest figures are absolutely startling about kids using these drugs," stated Charles Yesalis, ScD, MPH. He is professor of health policy and administration, and exercise and sports science at Penn State University. His team undertook research in late 1980s that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It revealed that around 500, 000 children had used steroids.

"We had been looking at 1% to 2% of girls and 5% to 6% of guys who'd used steroids," Yesalis said. "Now the girls are over 5%. You are talking more than a million kids now. From 2001 to 2003, girls' steroid use went up 300%. Guys went up 20% or so," he added.

Moreover, 3.3% of girls and 6.4% of boys studying in 12th grade have used steroids at least once. Meanwhile, 7.3% of girls and 6.9% of boys in ninth grade have been using these synthetic hormones regularly.

Can parents stop the use of performance-enhancing supplements among teens?

Absolutely! The first step is to get involved in your child’s extracurricular activities and talk to their school administration and coaches to shun the use of anabolic steroids. On the moral front, remind your children that drug use in sports is cheating and the achievements equal to nil. Explain to them the health problems associated with the use of such illegal drugs. Parents should also keep a close check on the purchases made by their children in order to identify any item that is generally associated with the use and consumption of steroids.