We presented a scientific 'paper' (poster exactly) today in "Steroid Use in Iowa Youth" here in Chicago at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In 85,000 survey questionnaires filled out by 6th, 8th, and 11th graders, 2.5% of males, and 1.2% of females endorsed anabolic steroid use at some time in life.
The use of steroids increased with increasing grades and age.
Of course a survey is not foolproof...students can exaggerate, or may misread the question.
These data are not earthshaking, however this the largest cohort ever surveyed...and those numbers are significant in a rural state.
Steroid use in youth is not without side effects. Consider Taylor Hooton, who father Don will join us in Chicago a presentation on Saturday.
I actually thought it would have been substantially higher. Perhaps we are wringing our hands a little too much over the possible influence of Olympic athletes and professional sportsmen?
Posted by: Butch | 10/30/2008 at 09:31
I hope SSRI usage is addressed when referencing Taylor Hooton.
Secondly, students can definitely exaggerate usage without even understanding what pertains to steroids (some kids classify creatine or protein as steroids).
Posted by: | 11/01/2008 at 13:34
Are your findings posted or will they be posted somewhere? Thanks!
Posted by: Jim Feeley | 11/03/2008 at 09:05