Unrealistic Body Image Expectations Pushing Youngsters To Steroids

A leading expert has told Radio City News, unrealistic expectations about body image could be driving young men towards Anabolic Steroids.

"It's something women have experienced for generations - the pressure to conform to a stylised body image. It's something men really haven't had. "

Jim McVeigh from the Centre For Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University said:

"There didn't used to be magazines with pictures of men with well defined abs on the front cover - there didn't used to be anything like that, or advertising to the same extent.

"It's something women have experienced for countless generations - the pressure to conform to a stylised body image. It's something men really haven't had. We've seen that pressure increase really in the last generation."

Personal trainer Chris Wright teaches good nutrition and exercise techniques as a route to success. In his youth however he dabbled with steroids.

He said:

"I'd always looked up to people you see on television. I grew up watching things like gladiators with big muscular fellas. I suppose that's the kind of image that I wanted for myself.

"For a lot of young men, myself included when I was doing it - it's a confidence thing.

"If it is that, then you need to ask yourself; are you doing everything possible naturally before you go down that route?

"There are possible side effects - I was fortunate I didn't have any - so just make sure if you're going to do it you know the risks beforehand."

You can hear a special documentary "Need For Needles" on Radio City Talk on Friday at 11.30am.

• Need for Needles