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Background: Physical attractiveness is a major motive for anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use. Since majority of AAS users are men, we investigated heterosexual women's ratings of the physical, sexual and romantic attractiveness of AAS-using and non-using men. Methods: A sample of 112 AAS-non-using heterosexual women (age range: 15–81, M = 29.61 years) was randomized to two independent conditions: food (n = 50) and AAS (n = 62). After exposure to a vignette (varied in AAS use or food consumption) and the target image of a moderately muscular man (same across conditions), participants in both conditions rated their respective target on physical, short-term sexual, and long-term romantic attractiveness. We compared ratings of the two targets using an independent t-test. Results: Compared to the non-using target, the AAS-using target received lower ratings (t = −2.61, p <.05, Cohen's d = 0.50) on long-term romantic attractiveness. Conclusion: Heterosexual women rate perceived AAS-using men as less attractive for long-term romantic relationships. Preventive and harm reduction interventions may benefit from highlighting this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aims of the present research were to determine the prevalence of the use of dietary supplements and anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) without professional guidance in the countryside of Northeastern Brazil, and to compare blood pressure (BP) between nonusers of dietary supplements, thermogenic supplement users and AAS users. Methods: The sample consisted of 346 resistance training (RT) practitioners and bodybuilders. The participants answered a questionnaire on the use of dietary supplements and/or AAS. In addition, the participants underwent BP assessment. Results: 76.9% of the sample consumed dietary supplements and AAS at some point in their lives. 66.8% (95%CI: 61.5–71.7) of our sample used only food supplements without any guidance from a qualified professional. AAS and cosmetic doping was reported by 8.1% (95%CI: 5.6–11.2%) and 2.0% (95%CI: 1.0–4.2%) of the sample, respectively. Regarding BP, a significant difference was observed for systolic BP when nonusers of dietary supplements were compared to users of thermogenic supplements (126.5 ± 15.1 mmHg s. 134.7 ± 14.5 mmHg; p=.034) and when compared to AAS users (126.5 ± 15.1 mmHg vs. 136.6 ± 12.2 mmHg; p=.010). Conclusions: Our findings point to excessive consumption of dietary supplements and AAS (without professional guidance) by RT practitioners and bodybuilders. In addition, we observed high systolic blood pressure in users of thermogenic supplements and AAS users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) by athletes has become a widespread problem in the developing countries. However, predisposing risk factors for AAS initiation among athletes are not well known. This study aimed to investigate the roles of psychosocial and demographic factors associated with AAS use among Iranian male bodybuilders. Method: This descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 280 male bodybuilders of Hamadan recruited through a multistage sampling method in 2016. The data-gathering tool consisted of a self-administered questionnaire with questions about AAS use and demographic, social, and psychological variables. Data were analyzed with SPSS-16 software using Chi-square, independent t-test, and logistic regression methods. Results: A total of 76 (27.1%) subjects were AAS users. According to the results, attitude and self-efficacy were associated with AAS use (p < 0.05). The result obtained from logistic regression analysis revealed that tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, supplement use, having AAS user coach, and having AAS user friends were significant predicting factors for AAS use among male bodybuilders (p < 0.05). Conclusion: AAS use is common among male bodybuilders in Iran. Personal and psychosocial correlates of AAS use identified in this study may be helpful for the development of preventive interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Users obtain anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) from various sources and it is unclear if observers’ perception of these sources has an effect on their construal of users’ personality. We investigated the influence of observers’ perceived source of AAS on their construal of users’ personality. A total of 283 individuals (209 females; mean age = 26.84 years) recruited online were randomized to three independent experimental scenarios or vignettes differing only in the source of AAS used by the protagonist: the Internet (n= 91), trainer/coach (n= 91), and physician/doctor (n= 101). Participants in all three conditions rated their protagonist on the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Multivariate analysis of variance results indicated no significant between-group differences on personality ratings of the protagonists. It is evident that observers’ perceived source of AAS does not influence their construal of users’ personality. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ratings of the perceived personality (Five-Factor Model) of an anabolic–androgenic steroid(s) (AAS) user, an erythropoietin (EPO) user, a protein powder user and a nonuser of these ergogenic aids were investigated. The sample of 328 (236 females) non-substance use participants providing the ratings was students aged 18–52 years. They were drawn from three Norwegian higher education institutions and were randomized to four independent experimental conditions, each comprising a specific scenario/description [food (n = 82), protein powder (n = 83), EPO (n = 83), and AAS (n = 80)] similar in number, age and gender distribution. Participants in all conditions rated their protagonist on the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Multivariate analysis of variance results indicated, consistent with our prediction, that the protagonist who consumed food was perceived as least neurotic whereas the AAS and EPO protagonists were rated similarly on neuroticism. The food and protein powder protagonists were rated similarly on openness albeit higher than the EPO protagonist. The food protagonist was regarded as more agreeable than protagonists of the ergogenic aids. Our findings indicate that perceived AAS use negatively impacts the construal of the perceived user’s personality or social image. Implications of findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]