International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210102020020921692169ENDepartment of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, OdishaDepartment of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, OdishaDepartment of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, OdishaDepartment of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, OdishaDepartment of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha20200126<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Anabolic‑androgenic steroids (AASs), when taken in supraphysiologic doses,<br />increase muscle strength and athletic performance. Evidence suggests that long‑term use of AAS in<br />supraphysiologic doses have adverse effects on health. Therefore, the study was conducted to find<br />crude estimate of the prevalence of AAS use among attendees of the gymnasium, the factors that<br />could have influenced them for AAS abuse and to assess the short‑ and long‑term side effects as<br />perceived by them. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">A cross‑sectional study was conducted in selected gymnasiums of a<br />smart city of India using a predesigned and pretested questionnaire. Snowball sampling method was<br />undertaken. The study was from July 2015 to June 2016. Informed written consent was taken. The<br />analysis was done using SPSS v. 20.0. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Of 84 bodybuilders approached, 74 participants used<br />AAS. All users were male with mean age of 26.5 + 0.55 years. The mean age of initiation of AAS<br />abuse was 23 years, and 66.2% (49) were unmarried. Eighty‑five percent (63) preferred injectable.<br />Seventy percent (52) abusers were influenced by trainers for abuse. Most commonly abused was<br />Nandrolone decanoate (55.4%). Seventy‑three percent were not aware of any legal ban on steroids.<br />Reported benefits include increased strength, muscle size, and power, while harms were increased<br />acne, deepening of voice, swelling of feet, increased irritability, depressive thoughts, impaired<br />judgment, panic disorder, and withdrawal effect.</span></p><p><strong></strong><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Frequency of ASS use was substantial<br />among young bodybuilders. Awareness about side effects was not a deterrent factor. Abusers were<br />highly influenced by coaches. Efforts should be made for preventing easy access to AAS.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0" style="color: #00652e;"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle3">Fitness centers, steroids, substance‑related disorders</span></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2169http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2169/717717965