Teens use supplements to boost body image
supplements by teenagers to enhance their physical appearance,
reports Jess Halliday.
The survey involved 10,000 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years, and is published in the August issue of Pediatrics. Poor body image, peer pressure and exposure to media images of so-called ideal bodies means these young people may be vulnerable to unscrupulously marketed products, or those that may have side effects.
And it is not just the girls who aspire to the body beautiful, as was once thought. The trend is even more pronounced in boys, who were twice as likely to use supplements to increase their muscle mass and definition if they read men's, fashion or health and fitness magazines.
Twelve percent of boys said they had used products to improve their appearance, muscle mass or strength in the past year, compared with eight percent of girls. Five percent of boys and two percent of girls said they used such products weekly.
The products most commonly used by both sexes were protein powders and shakes. Creatine, amino acids, the amino-acid metabolite HMB, DHEA, growth hormones and anabolic steroids were also used predominantly by boys.
While lead author Dr Alison Field of Children's Hospital Boston conceded that protein powders are "probably relatively safe", she drew attention to the side effects of anabolic steroids, which include testicular atrophy, liver and kidney damage, an increased risk of heart disease and uncontrolled aggression.
Creatine, which occurs naturally in foods like fish and red meat, is banned in some countries because of studies showing a possible link between long-term supplementation and increased cancer risk. It is not banned by the International Olympic Committee, which classifies it as food.
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a hormone precursor, is banned by the IOC however. But it has a history of use amongst older Americans for a variety of health conditions, as the body's natural reserves decrease after the age of 30. A bill introduced in May and opposed by the National Nutritional Foods Association seeks to make it a federally controlled substance.
"Most of us in adolescent medicine think it's best to stay away from these products altogether," said Field.
British dietician Amanda Johnson agrees. She told NutraIngredients-USA.com that adolescents are more likely to be concerned about appearance than health problems in later life. Her advice for teens who want to look good is to eat a balanced diet and take sensible exercise.
As to the specific nutritional needs of the age group, girls, particularly after the onset of menstruation, have an increased need for iron which they can obtain from red meat and oily fish. Both boys and girls should pay attention to their calcium intake to build good bone strength for the future.
As to protein powders and shakes, Johnson said: "There is a misconception that if you overdose on protein you will get big muscles. There are a lot of myths about."
Rather, she said, it is important to consume adequate amounts of carbohydrate when exercising hard.
