EFFECTS OF BODY-IMAGE ON DIETING, EXERCISE, AND ANABOLIC-STEROID USE IN ADOLESCENT MALES

This cross-sectional sun,ey study examined body image, dieting and exe rcise variables, and steroid use in 2,088 high-school graduates aged 1 8 years. In contrast to women, more men wished to gain (46%) rather th an lose weight (32%). Men who wished to gain weight were more satisfie d with their body shape, showed no fear of fatness, and dieted and exe rcised less frequently than did men who wished to lose weight. The pre valence of dieting was low (4%), even among men who wished to lose wei ght (9%), and physical exercise was more likely to be used for both we ight loss and weight gain. Contrary to expectations, anabolic steroid use was rare (0.6%) and was not associated with a desire for weight ga in. Steroid users were more likely to engage in running and swimming t han football. The data did not support the notion that anabolic steroi d use is widespread among high-school males. (C) 1995 by John Wiley an d Sons, Inc.