One in five gay teen boys reported to use steroids
CHICAGO — Gay and bisexual teen boys in the United States use illicit steroids at a rate almost six times higher than do straight kids, a “dramatic disparity” that points up a need to reach out to this group, researchers say.
Reasons for the differences are unclear. The U.S. study authors said it’s possible gay and bi boys feel more pressure to achieve a bulked-up “ideal” male physique, or that they think muscle-building steroids will help them fend off bullies.
Overall, 21 per cent of gay or bisexual boys said they had used steroids, versus four per cent of straight boys. The difference was similar among those who reported moderate use — taking steroid pills or injections up to 40 times: Eight per cent of gay or bi teens reported that amount, versus less than two per cent of straight boys.
The heaviest use — 40 or more times — was reported by four per cent of gays or bi boys, compared with less than one per cent of straight teens.
The study is billed as the first to examine the problem. Previous research has found similar disparities for other substance abuse.
“It’s a bit sad that we saw such a large health disparity,” especially among the most frequent steroid users, said co-author Aaron Blashill, a psychologist and scientist with the Fenway Institute, the research arm of a Boston health centre that treats gays and lesbians.
“Given the dramatic disparity … it would seem that this is a population in which greater attention is needed,” the authors said.
Their research was released Monday in the journal Pediatrics.
The nationally representative study is an analysis of U.S. government surveys from 2005 and 2007. It involved 17,250 teen boys aged 16 on average; almost four per cent — 635 boys — were gay or bisexual. Blashill said it’s likely more recent data would show the disparities persist.
Dr. Rob Garofalo, adolescent medicine chief at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, said the differences aren’t surprising, since it is known that gay youth often have “body image issues.” But he said, “It is still shocking. These are dramatically high rates.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cites government data showing that about five per cent of high school boys and two per cent of high school girls use steroids — more than a half million young people.
Steroids include synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone. Users take them to promote muscle growth, strength and endurance. Side effects can include heart and liver problems, high blood pressure, acne and aggressive behaviour.