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Student Anabolic Steroid Statistics
Steroid use has become an increasingly frustrating
problem for those in the professional sports industry
with admissions by major players that steroid
use was involved in their lives. Even more frightening
than the widespread abuse of steroids by professional
sports players is the alarming number of teenagers
and young athletes using steroids with the belief
that they will help them become faster, stronger,
or better at performing in athletic competitions.
People have taken steroids for football, baseball,
swimming, wrestling, weight lifting, running,
and other sports. When the statistics are reviewed,
they show that steroid use is increasing in this
age group, which can have serious consequences.
A study that was conducted from 1999 to 2001
shows that steroid use among teenagers has been
on the rise and gives statistics that support
that assumption. In 1999, 2.7% of tenth grade
students report having used steroids at least
one time in their lives, while 2.9% of twelfth
grade students reported steroid use. The survey
was repeated in 2001 and showed that the incidence
of steroid use had increased.
Tenth grade students
reported a 3.5% incidence rate of steroid use,
while the use of steroids by twelfth-graders increased
to 4%. The same study surveyed the sample of students
and asked how frequently their steroid use occurred.
In the tenth grade group, 1.0% had used steroids
within the month preceding the survey and 2.2%
had used steroids within a year preceding the
survey. The twelfth grade group showed increased
use with 1.4% using in the month prior to the
survey and 2.5% using in the year prior to the
survey.
This same study shows that gender, race, and
cultural beliefs highly impact the decision of
whether or not to use steroids. The research shows
that Caucasian students are more likely to use
steroids than African Americans, Hispanics, or
those of other races. Gender also plays a key
role in determining who will develop an addiction
to steroids or use them at least once. Men use
steroids overwhelmingly more than women.
In this
case, the pressures of the gender may contribute
to the development of this type of addiction.
Most women are encouraged to be pretty or thin,
but men are expected to be masculine, strong,
and physically fit. Many fathers encourage their
sons to participate in athletics, leading their
sons to believe that top performance is a must.
These young men then turn to steroids to help
them build muscle mass, run faster, hit the ball
harder, or have more energy and stamina.
The use of anabolic steroids and steroidal supplements
is certainly an issue for student athletes. The
best way to reduce the incidence of steroid use
is to emphasize natural methods of bulking up
and performing better such as cardiovascular exercise,
weight bearing exercises, and a healthy diet.
With this type of positive encouragement, students
may feel less pressure to perform well and avoid
using steroids as a means of performance enhancement.
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