OBJECTIVE Our goals were to determine the prevalence of ergogenic supplemen
t use in a young healthy population and to examine the extent to which supp
lement use is associated with specific health risk behaviors.
STUDY DESIGN We performed a cross-sectional survey.
POPULATION Individuals entering military service for enlisted training were
included.
OUTCOMES MEASURED We recorded previous use of any nutritional ergogenic sup
plements and self-reported health risk behaviors.
RESULTS Of 550 eligible participants, 499 completed the survey (91% respons
e rate). Individuals who used ergogenic supplements were more likely to dri
nk alcohol (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.
1-3.1), more likely to drink heavily (AOR=2.4; 95% CI, 1.5-3.9), more likel
y to tide in a vehicle with someone who had been drinking (AOR=2.2; 95% CI,
1.3-3-6), more likely to drive after drinking (AOR=2.4; 95% CI, 1.3-4.4),
and more likely to have been in a physical fight (AOR=1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3-5)
, compared with those who had not used supplements. Men were more likely to
use supplements than women (P<.001). There were no differences in patterns
of supplement use according to age or body mass index.
CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates an association between individuals who use
ergogenic nutritional supplements and specific health risk behaviors. This
represents an important opportunity for preventive counseling.