Abstract:
Background: The use of hormones and nutritional supplements has become prevalent worldwide. Even more alarming is the fact that multiple studies have shown that a considerable number of people who consume these enhancements sought no medical advice before taking them. The use of human growth hormones in sport today is not only based on its anabolic properties, but also on its effect on carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study, and data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire include the sociodemographic data (age, BMI, smoking history), questions about types of hormones available (steroids and growth hormones), and Awareness of the side effects of and hormones and whether respondents had suffered any adverse effects were also investigated. Results: In the present study 97.06% of study participants use testosterone. 23.53% of participants on hormone courses use Dihydrotestosterone. Some of the participants (5.88%) uses non specified androgenic steroids. Other participants use Growth hormone (5.88%). most of the study participants were unaware the side effects associated with hormones and they answered "No" when they have been asked about these side effect. The participants were mainly aware of the weight gain [26 participants(76.47%)], psychiatric problem[20participants(58.82%)], increase RBC [19participants(55.88%)] and breast enlargement[18 participants [52.94%].Conclusion: Testosterone was the most popular hormone used among bodybuilding athletes. Majority of study participants were not aware of the possible side effects of the dietary supplements and hormones in spite of using them regularly.
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