Sexual Orientation and Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids in US Adolescent Boys

Abstract

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Anabolic-androgenic steroid misuse is not uncommon among adolescent boys, and initial use in adolescence is associated with a host of maladaptive outcomes, including cardiovascular, endocrine, and psychiatric complications. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:This is the first known study to examine prevalence rates of anabolic-androgenic steroid misuse as a function of sexual orientation. A dramatic disparity was found, in that sexual minority boys reported misuse at a much higher rate than heterosexual boys. RESULTS: Sexual minority adolescent boys were at an increased odds of 5.8 (95% confidence interval 4.1-8.2) to report a lifetime prevalence of AAS (21% vs 4%) compared with their heterosexual counterparts, P , .001. Exploratory analyses suggested that increased depressive symptoms/suicidality, victimization, and substance use contributed to this disparity.CONCLUSIONS: This is the first known study to test and find substantial health disparities in the prevalence of AAS misuse as a function of sexual orientation. Prevention and intervention efforts are needed for sexual minority adolescent boys. Pediatrics 2014;133:469-475

Gender Conformity and Use of Laxatives and Muscle-Building Products in Adolescents and Young Adults

“…The overall gender differences and age trends detected in this study were consistent with previous US epidemiologic data on the prevalence of laxative use and muscle-building product use in adolescent and young adult females and males. 7,9,11,15 The results build on previous research on gender and sexual orientation disparities in laxative and musclebuilding product use by highlighting the unique, independent effect of gender conformity in patterning weight control and muscle-building behaviors in heterosexual and sexual minority adolescents and young adults.…”

“…General population data from studies such as the national Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey and Monitoring the Future survey, and Minnesota's Project EAT find that 1% to 6% of adolescent males report using steroids in their lifetime. 9,10 Project EAT data indicate that 10.5% of adolescent males and 5.5% of females report using other muscle-building products (eg, creatine, hydroxymethylbutyrate, dehydroepiandrosterone, or growth hormone). 11 Beyond gender differences in laxative and muscle-building product use, emerging epidemiologic data indicate disparities by sexual orientation identity (ie, heterosexual vs sexual minority [gay, lesbian, bisexual, mostly heterosexual]).…”

“…Sexual minority adolescent males are more prone to engage in behaviors related to weight restriction, such as purging, and expressing concerns regarding leanness, 12,13, 16 yet they also may be more likely to try steroids than their heterosexual peers. 9 Little research has examined the mechanisms contributing to gender and sexual orientation disparities in laxative abuse and muscle-building product use. Although disparities have been noted by gender and sexual orientation, it is possible that these exposures are proxies for processes related to gender expression.…”

Orientación Sexual y el Uso de Anabólicos Esteroideos en jóvenes varones Latinoamericanos entre 18 y 30 años

“…Existen reportes en los que se describe la presencia de una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre los síntomas depresivos y el uso de anabólicos esteroideos (8)(9)(10)(11). Además, los usuarios de EAA usan con mayor frecuencia sustancias nocivas comparados con los que no los consumen (12-13).…”

“…Estudios previos han evidenciado que la orientación sexual juega un rol importante en el consumo de EAA, ya que las minorías sexuales presentan prevalencias entre 5 a 24% aproximadamente (8,(14)(15)(16). El uso de EAA también se ha encontrado asociado a conductas sexuales de riesgo.…”