April 7, 2005
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has joined a chorus of political and medical leaders in condemning the use of illegal steroids in sports.
"Use and promotion of performance-enhancing substances tends to devalue the principles of a balanced diet, good coaching, and sound physical training," the AAP said in an April 2005 policy statement.
Using unregulated steroids to improve athletic play may pose a "significant health risk" for young people, the AAP added. There is virtually no data on the safety and effectiveness of these drugs for children and teens.
The AAP issued the policy 1 month after a congressional committee began investigating the use of illegal steroids by Major League Baseball players. In March, the federal House Committee on Government Reform began examining the league's drug policy and subpoenaed stars such as retired St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire to testify about them.
The AAP called on schools to take strong stands against steroid use among young athletes. By providing sound nutrition and training strategies, parents and coaches may be able to help kids and teens resist pressures to take steroids, the AAP said.
How Do Steroids Affect the Body?
The performance-enhancing drugs at issue are anabolic steroids, which are against the law to use without a prescription. These steroids stimulate muscle tissue to grow and "bulk up" in response to training by mimicking the effect of the testosterone the body naturally produces.
Some athletes take these steroids in the hopes that it will make them run faster, hit farther, lift heavier weights, jump higher, or have more endurance.
But if young people take large doses of steroids over time, they risk serious health problems that may not appear until years later. In males, steroids can reduce the size of the testicles and the amount of sperm they can produce as well as increase breast growth. In females, steroids may disrupt the menstrual cycle and cause fertility problems.
Steroids may also:
- stunt growth in teens by causing the bones to mature too fast and fuse
- cause irreversible liver damage
- enlarge the heart muscles
- cause violent, aggressive mood swings
- cause or worsen acne
- contribute to heart disease and increase cholesterol and lipid levels
- create permanent stretch marks
- accelerate hair loss
- cause muscles to ache
Teen girls and women risk additional side effects including:
- excessive facial and body hair growth or male-pattern baldness
- deepening of the voice
- enlargement of the clitoris
Talking to Your Child About Steroids
Most athletes exercise hard, eat properly, and take care of their bodies to maintain optimal fitness and performance levels. But competitive pressures and the desire to look physically toned and fit can be fierce.
To help your child handle these pressures, it may help to talk to him or her about healthy competition and drugs. Ask your child about any concerns and the coach's and team members' attitudes toward steroids.
If you suspect your child is using steroids, watch for these warning signs:
- exaggerated mood swings
- worsening acne
- unusually greasy skin with stretch marks
- a sudden increase in muscle size
If you have suspicions that your child is using these drugs, you may want to call your child's doctor. The doctor may recommend that you have your child tested for them.
What if Your Child Is Using Steroids?
There's no easy answer. Simply forbidding the use of steroids may not be enough to stop it. Your child's desire to look strong and perform well in sports may outweigh any rules about steroids that you issue.
Your child's doctor may be able to provide you and your child with information on healthy diet and exercise to boost performance and physical appearance.
Help your child stay away from steroids by encouraging a healthy lifestyle for your entire family. And be sure to promote your child's self-esteem so that body image doesn't take over your child's sense of self-worth.
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: April 2005
