A new study in the journal Pediatrics found that gay and bisexual adolescents are five times more likely to misuse anabolic-androgenic steroids than their heterosexual counterparts, putting them at risk of cardiovascular, endocrine and psychiatric complications.
The study, "Sexual Orientation and Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids in U.S. Adolescent Boys," was published in the March 2014 Pediatrics and released online February 4.
Researchers analyzed questionnaires from 17,250 adolescents, of whom 635 were classified as sexual minorities.
They found that 21 percent of gay and bisexual boys had used steroids at least once in their lives, compared to four percent of heterosexual boys. Gay and bisexual boys were also more likely to be heavy users (four percent versus 0.7 percent for heterosexual boys).
According to the study authors, gay and bisexual boys may be at higher risk of steroid use in part due to increased symptoms of depression, victimization, substance use, and poor body image.
Study authors conclude prevention and intervention efforts would benefit from focusing on this at-risk group.
Dr. Aaron Blashill discusses the dangers and health effects of steroid use on your children.
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Is Your Teen on Steroids?
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Dr. Aaron J. Blashill is an affiliated investigator at The Fenway Institute, staff psychologist in the Behavioral Medicine Service at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on the role body image plays in influencing health behaviors (e.g., sexual risk behaviors, medication adherence, skin cancer risk behaviors, depression, steroid use, and eating pathology). Dr. Blashill has examined these behaviors across multiple populations, including gay and bisexual men, adolescent boys, and individuals living with HIV.
Aaron Blashill, PhD
Dr. Aaron J. Blashill is an affiliated investigator at The Fenway Institute, staff psychologist in the Behavioral Medicine Service at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on the role body image plays in influencing health behaviors (e.g., sexual risk behaviors, medication adherence, skin cancer risk behaviors, depression, steroid use, and eating pathology). Dr. Blashill has examined these behaviors across multiple populations, including gay and bisexual men, adolescent boys, and individuals living with HIV.