A new study highlights the dangers of muscle building supplement use among teenagers and adults

A recent study from the University of Toronto revealed important facts about the use of muscle building supplements (such as whey protein and creatine) among Canadian teenagers and young adults. The research, published today, provides a comprehensive review of the prevalence, impacts, and risks associated with the use of muscle building supplements, highlighting important implications for health care, health public and policy makers.

The work is published in the newspaper Performance Improvement and Health.

Analyzing data from 912 participants from the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviours, a national study that focuses on the mental, social and behavioral health of people aged 16 to 30, it found that about 60 % of respondents reported using protein bars and more. half reported using whey protein powders or protein shakes, which were the most commonly used muscle building supplements. Boys and men reported higher rates of use compared to girls, women, and transgender/gender expansive (TGE) participants.

“Boys and men in our study reported using an average of three muscle-building supplements in the past 12 months,” says Kyle T. Ganson, Ph.D., MSW, lead author of the study. . “This number really exemplifies the prevalence of boys and men trying to stick to a muscular body.”

About half of the participants cited social media influencers as the main influence on their supplement use, while the exercise community and friends also played an important role. More than two-thirds of participants reported that they sought information from Internet sites, with notable gender differences in information sources. Girls and women were more likely to talk to health professionals, while boys and men were more likely to use online forums such as Reddit and YouTube.

“It is important for health care, public health, and policymakers to understand what information young people are receiving about muscle building tools to inform risk reduction strategies. ,” says Ganson. “We know that in Canada, muscle building regulations are weak and social media companies don’t block the content of muscle building supplements, which can” have negatively affected young people’s perceptions of the safety and effectiveness of muscle building products.”

Only 9.8% of participants perceived their use of muscle building equipment as problematic, with TGE individuals reporting higher perceptions of problematic use compared to cisgender participants.

Alarmingly, the study found that nearly two-thirds of participants experienced at least one symptom while using the muscle building materials, with common symptoms including fatigue , digestive problems and heart problems. Despite these symptoms, a staggering 87.8% of those affected did not seek medical help.

“Although we did not directly examine whether the use of muscle building supplements caused the symptoms that users experienced, it is clear that their physical health symptoms may “They are important for young people to be aware of before using muscle building materials, and health care professionals should be made aware of these findings,” says Ganson.

The findings highlight the need for health care providers to be knowledgeable about muscle-strengthening devices and to routinely evaluate their use among adolescents and young adults.

“This is especially important for TGE and sexual minorities, who report higher levels of symptoms,” says Ganson. “Public health programs should focus on risk reduction education, emphasize the potential risks of muscle building materials and promote the use of health information resources. respectable.”

In addition, the authors of this study advocate for stricter regulations on the sale and promotion of muscle building supplements, especially on social media.