Many kids grow up idolizing professional and Olympic athletes. Many pro athletes have been accused of or admitted to using steroids, and Olympic athletes have lost their medals after testing positive during the Olympic Games. The type of steroids youths use in sports are called “anabolic,” and are illegal, synthetic hormones that boost the body's ability to build muscle.

A survey of kids in grades eight through twelve showed that 1.6 percent of students (2.4 percent of boys and .8 percent of girls) have used anabolic steroids. The report, published in the January 2008 issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, showed that 57 percent of youths who have used steroids said professional athletes influenced their decision to use them, and 80 percent believed the drugs would help them achieve their athletic goals.

According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America website, there are numerous side effects of using steroids, including jaundice, liver tumors, and severe mental problems. Men may experience shrinking of the testicles, reduced sperm count, baldness, and develop breasts. Women may grow facial hair, stop menstruating, and develop a deep voice. Steroids are especially dangerous for youths, as bones mature too quickly and stop growing at an early age.

How can you talk to your kids about the dangers of steroids? Discuss healthy competition with them, and encourage them to compete fairly by using their strengths rather than steroids. Help them be aware of the pressures that come with competitive sports, the health risks of using steroids, and the legal issues they could face if they take them. Use professional or Olympic athletes as a starting point to discuss youth steroid use.