Abstract
Objective: The authors investigated the use and perceived use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) among nonathlete college students. Participants: The authors surveyed a sample of 485 nonathlete college students at a major metropolitan university. Methods: They administered a survey on use and perceived use of AAS to the students. Results: Forty-two participants (9%) reported using AAS (37 men, 5 women). Seniors were the most likely to use AAS (36%), and freshman the least likely (7%). Thirty-four percent of nonusers and 41% of users indicated they knew between 1 and 5 AAS users. Of the total sample, 36% perceived that 5% to 10% of nonathlete college students used AAS. Reasons for AAS use were because friends were using (7%), a desire to enhance physical appearance (45%), and a desire to increase physical performance (48%). Conclusions: These findings may have significant implications in planning strategic preventive educational programs, and health educators should target incoming college freshmen with the intent of dissuading AAS use.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 499-504 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of American College Health |
Volume | 56 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Anabolic steroids
- College students
- Ergogenic aids
- Performance-enhancing drugs
- Self-perception
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health