Abstract
BackgroundThe extent and implications of muscle building protein supplement use among adolescents is relatively unknown. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of protein powder, creatine, and anabolic steroid use in a sample of 14–16 year-old boys in Australia, and the predictors of actual use, and intentions to use protein powder.MethodsData were obtained from questionnaires with Australian adolescent boys aged 14–16 years from one independent boy’s school in Melbourne (N = 237). Hierarchical linear and logistic regressions were used to determine the predictors of intentions, and actual use of protein powder.Results49.8% of boys reported current use of, and 62% intended to use protein powder; 8.4% used creatine, and 4.2% used anabolic steroids. Higher levels of drive for muscularity, participation in weight training, and playing a greater number of sports were significant predictors of higher current use and intentions to use protein powder, but age, BMI, body esteem, and ethnicity were not.ConclusionsPrevalence of muscle building supplement use was relatively high among this adolescent population. This research has implications for intervention and prevention programs to educate young boys about muscle building supplements to reduce negative physical and psychological health effects of their use.
Highlights
The extent and implications of muscle building protein supplement use among adolescents is relatively unknown
Performance and Image Enhancing Drug [Performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs)], and muscle building supplement use among adolescent athlete and non-athlete populations is a concern for a number of reasons
This study aimed to explore the prevalence of protein supplement, creatine, and anabolic steroid use among Australian adolescent boys, and to determine the demographic, physical, and psychological factors that predict intentions and actual use of protein powder
Summary
The extent and implications of muscle building protein supplement use among adolescents is relatively unknown. The AsiaPacific region, including Australia, has been identified as the area in which the fastest growth is expected, due to Performance and Image Enhancing Drug [PIED], and muscle building supplement use among adolescent athlete and non-athlete populations is a concern for a number of reasons. Yager and McLean BMC Pediatrics (2020) 20:89 impact of the use of creatine, and Anabolic Andronegic Steroids [AAS] among adolescents is relatively unknown [5, 6]. Research has indicated that many muscle building products are spiked with testosterone or amphetamine-like substances, even though these are not declared on the label, which have relatively unknown effects on developing adolescent bodies and endocrine systems [7,8,9]. Research has reported that competitive athletes were 3.5 times more likely to engage in doping if they had previously used nutritional supplements [12]
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