ABSTRACT
Objective: Society is progressively becoming more focused with body image as supported by the literature. The purpose of this study was to sample an “at risk” college population regarding their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of exercise, fitness, drug and supplement use, and perceptions of body image as they relate to social hypotheses in the literature.
Sample: Fifty-five college students were utilized in this study. All students were recruited on a voluntary basis.
Data Analysis: A 30 – item survey with subscales was administered including sections on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Responses were coded and recorded anonymously. Statistics were calculated using SPSS® and Microsoft Excel® for descriptive and inferential data. Results were calculated and inferences were made showing various trends in the data.
Conclusions: Results show a trend in the data towards a more negative concept of body image although significance is variable. Males and females differ in the types of nutritional supplements taken. The prevalence of AAS use in this sample closely resembles that of national reported trends in the data. Lastly, the sample appeared to demonstrate knowledge of body image in the general population; however, some data suggest behaviors which are contradictory to this knowledge.
Key Words: androgenic-anabolic steroids, dysmorphic, ergogenic, supplement