Youth Report: The Sale of Diet Pills and Muscle Building Supplements to Adolescents in the United States​

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Eating disorders, one of the most prevalent categorical subsets of mental illnesses, have a steady upward trend amongst adolescents both in the United States and globally. While extensive research regarding the root causes of eating disorders exists, it offers minimal insight into the impact of diet and muscle supplement sales to minors on rising prevalence rates. This study aims to analyze how the sale of diet and muscle supplements impacts adolescent eating disorders in the United States. By collecting data through online surveys, our youth team was able to provide an overview of how the sale of these pills affects adolescents across racial, gender, and other demographic groups. After collecting over 1500 survey responses, researchers determined that 23.3 percent, 22.1 percent, and 34.6 percent of youth respondents have used over-the-counter diet pills, detox teas, or other weight loss supplements in Massachusetts, New York, and California, respectively. In addition, across the three states, 75% of the youth respondents were not informed of the dangers of using weight loss or muscle building supplements. Although the survey method of collecting data may have its limitations, it will be useful in gaining an insight into supplement usage amongst minors, and opening a conversation on whether supplement usage negatively impacts adolescents by promoting body alteration, a set beauty standard, and certain body shapes that conform to societal norms.