Many Al Ain gym-goers abuse steroids, By: Aftab Kazmi

10/15/06

Al Ain: A medical investigation has detected a high level of anabolic steroid abuse among gym users in Al Ain, suggesting the launch of an awareness program to control the problem.

The study indicates that steroid abuse is significantly higher among commercial club users and that other people (currently non-users) were found to be interested in the drugs for future use.

The Al Ain study was conducted by a group of medical students from the Department of Community Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the UAE University.

The team conducted a survey in May this year at 18 gyms. Questionnaires were also distributed to gym-users.

"The results of the study were very alarming," said the report.

Awareness programs

"The prevalence of misuse was "very high (22 per cent)," said the report, adding it was significantly higher among UAE nationals. Most steroid abusers were found to be bodybuilders and weightlifters who were members of commercial clubs.

The report indicated that despite awareness of the adverse consequences of anabolic steroids, such as premature heart attacks, strokes, liver tumors, kidney failure and serious psychiatric problems among non-users some seven per cent were considering using them in the future.

The report said steroids were easily available in Al Ain through unregulated sources. It, however, suggested that unawareness could be the reason behind the drug abuse.

"The implementation of programs devoted to increasing public awareness is essential and may help avoid the propagation of the problem," the report added.