Anabolic Steroid Use in Fitness Culture - Social Media and Health Promotion by Kevin Ochoa

Introduction- What are anabolic steroids and why this matters

fndxm5vr9p — 2025-07-22 16:47:09 UTC

Synthetic forms of male sex hormone testosterone are called anabolic steroids. Steroid use is sometimes concealed behind terminology like "enhanced" or "TRT" in the fitness world, as well as on social media. Unnatural and unrealistic body standards, false information, and a rise in the youth looking for a "quick fix" is the outcome of this. This topic is important and should be talked about more because it can cause health concerns. Concerns such as liver damage, hormonal abnormalities, and mental health problems.

Meme - Natty or Not

fndxm5vr9p — 2025-07-22 17:23:38 UTC

This meme illustrates how people can be often misled by unreal information and transformation videos into thinking that results at the gym happen overnight. It is common for influencers to state that they are natural "natty" when in reality they do use steroids. Using humor like this is meant to raise awareness but it can also downplay the severity of steroid use and its negative effects.

How Social Media Fuels Steroid Use

fndxm5vr9p — 2025-07-22 19:25:22 UTC

Social media more often than not, can show a false reality and set false standards. As a result putting pressure on people to feel like they need to be and look perfect. Influencers can conceal their use of steroids while endorsing other supplements, exercise plans/routines that give off a false narrative. Many videos and influencers have become popular after appearing to be "perfect" while all are just giving portraying a fake image. Many negative effects can come from this such as : youth increased body dissatisfaction, increase in steroid experimentation but there can also be positive effects such as: some influencers advocate for natural training and speak of the dangers of steroids, and some campaign for transparency in telling the viewers the truth.

Social Media Campaign - #RealStrengthChallenge

fndxm5vr9p — 2025-07-22 20:48:08 UTC

To go against the negative impact of content and the creators use that glorify steroids, I suggest launching a campaign that is called the #RealStrengthChallenge. The goal is to encourage a normal level of fitness and reasonable body standards. Inform people of the dangers that can be brought up with the use of anabolic steroids. The platforms that the #RealStrengthChallenege will be on YouTube Shorts, Instagram, and TikTok. For example a post can say "1 year of consistent training, no shortcuts!! #RealStrengthChallenge" As well as a creator showing a video over time on his or her progression in the gym doing it naturally and and showing their hard work. Timeline: 3 week campaign/ New Year = new fitness goals. Tools: working with natural fitness influencers, Canva for the inforgraohics, and CapCut for the editing.

Multimedia Enhancement - The Dark Side of Steroids

fndxm5vr9p — 2025-07-22 21:01:55 UTC

The frequently concealed repercussions of steroid abuse are shown in the documentary video. The effects range from aggression to mood swings to health hazards such as heart damage. This video serves as a reminder that social media posts are not always what they seem and the concealment of the steroid use actually poses a risk.

References

fndxm5vr9p — 2025-07-22 21:05:06 UTC

Pope, H. G., Jr, Wood, R. I., Rogol, A., Nyberg, F., Bowers, L., & Bhasin, S. (2014). Adverse health consequences of performance-enhancing drugs: an Endocrine Society scientific statement. Endocrine reviews, 35(3), 341–375. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2013-1058

Brennan, B. P., Kanayama, G., Hudson, J. I., & Pope, H. G., Jr (2011). Human growth hormone abuse in male weightlifters. The American journal on addictions, 20(1), 9–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1521-0391.2010.00093.x

Hildebrandt, T., Alfano, L., & Langenbucher, J. W. (2010). Body image disturbance in 1000 male appearance and performance enhancing drug users. Journal of psychiatric research, 44(13), 841–846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires