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The use of anabolic steroids The Inquiry heard that while dieting and calorie restriction may be employed particularly by women as a way of achieving the thin ideal, the drive for, and idealisation of muscularity in men was seen to be behind the increasing use of anabolic steroids.90 Anabolic steroid use is associated with a number of harmful effects including cardiovascular, liver and psychological health problems.91 The Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) submitted evidence in which it concluded the; “misuse and rising prevalence of anabolic steroids is a worrying development.” Indeed, recent research suggests that 714,000 adults had admitted to using anabolic steroids,92 although there are limitations in gathering data because of the underground nature of taking anabolic steroids. The Government recently accepted the ACMD recommendation that there is a need for widespread, credible information and advice for steroid users to counteract the flood of misinformation provided by websites that promote steroid use. The Inquiry included a discussion about the sale of legal supplements with brand names which may be seen to glamourise steroid use. Phil Geary, Marketing Director, Holland & Barratt, was asked whether the sale of Anabol Testo, a legal supplement, might be seen to normalise steroid use. Mr Geary accepted that the brand name does sound similar to anabolic steroids, but stated that; “there was no way in God’s green earth you would be sold the product on the basis it would mimic anything that an anabolic steroid would do.” The Inquiry also received evidence from the ACMD that some legal supplements may be contaminated or adulterated with anabolic steroids and other substances not listed on the label. In one study this amounted to as many as one in five supplements.93
Reflecting on body image
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