title: Use of anabolic-androgenic steroids among body builders--frequency and attitudes.
abstract: A total of 138 male body builders who regularly attended a gym participated anonymously in a study of the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids in relation to side-effects, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI; kg m-2), training frequency, social background, occupation, knowledge and attitudes to steroid use. Fifty-three of the 138 body builders had used anabolic-androgenic steroids for a median duration of 2 years. Steroid use was linked to a higher BMI and more frequent training. Seventy-five per cent (n = 18) of those attending body building for competition, and 24% (n = 11) of those attending to improve their sense of well-being, used anabolic-androgenic steroids. Of all body builders, 94% considered anabolic-androgenic steroids to be dangerous. Of the users, 81% experienced side-effects, but 74% still intended to continue steroid medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindström
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Katzman
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Janzon
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Dymling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D012651:Self Medication; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents