85% of school and college athletes in India report that their coaches and fitness trainers encouraged them to take supplements similar to steroids to perform well.  About 78% report that they have taken that advice and are using supplements and straight steroids.  They report that these products are easy to obtain.  What makes us think that the situation is any different there in the US and Canada where disposable income is high and there is a supplement store on almost every street corner?

Due to easy availability of supplements, about 78 per cent of adolescents in urban areas of India consume at least one dietary supplement such as pills, energy drinks, steroids and high-protein, says a survey by industry body Assocham.

“The statistics are shocking, as many children are becoming overly involved and obsessed by a wide variety of substances that promise to boost energy, appearance, performance, improved immunity and overall health even if it shortened their lives,” it said in a statement. As we’ve reported on these pages, upwards of 20-25% of supplements sold worldwide have been shown to be spiked with anabolic steroids. The study encompassed a group of about 2,500 adolescents.

The survey further highlighted that use of steroids increased with age, especially in boys, with almost 45 per cent of 12th class students (male) reporting steroid use.

Some students reported using other dietary supplements to boost their game or physical appearance. Forty seven per cent said they had used supplements such as protein powders, creatine and amino acids to gain body mass.

Around 55 per cent said they had used supplements like fat burners, high-energy drinks and caffeine pills in an attempt to lose weight.

It also shows the awful facts of participants consuming sports drinks (86 per cent), vitamin and mineral tablets (75 per cent), energy drinks (65 per cent), herbal supplements (25 per cent), high protein milk supplements (15 per cent) and steroids (76 per cent).

The majority reported that their trainers were selling these supplements. For more details:  http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5789447