FAT-FREE MASS INDEX IN USERS AND NONUSERS OF ANABOLIC-ANDROGENIC STEROIDS

We calculated fat-free mass index (FFMI) in a sample of 157 male athle tes, comprising 83 users of anabolic-androgenic steroids and 74 nonuse rs. FFMI is defined by the formula (fat-free body mass in kg) x (heigh t in meters)(-2). We then added a slight correction of 6.3 x (1.80 m - height) to normalize these values to the height of a 1.8-m man. The n ormalized FFMI values of athletes who had not used steroids extended u p to a well-defined limit of 25.0. Similarly, a sample of 20 Mr. Ameri ca winners from the presteroid era (1939-1959), for whom we estimated the normalized FFMI, had a mean FFMI of 25.4. By contrast, the FFMI of many of the steroid users in our sample easily exceeded 25.0, and tha t of some even exceeded 30. Thus, although these findings must be rega rded as preliminary, it appears that FFMI may represent a useful initi al measure to screen for possible steroid abuse, especially in athleti c, medical, or forensic situations in which individuals may attempt to deny such behavior.