Steroid trends

In "The Incredible Bulk" (p. 18), you learned about the dangers of using steroids. Below is a chart showing the percentage of U.S. students who reported using anabolic steroids. Use the information in the chart to complete the sections that follow.

A. Graph It!

On a separate piece of paper, use the above data to construct the following:

1. A bar graph showing the percentage of 8th and 10th graders who reported having used steroids during a given year.

2. A double-line graph showing the percentage of 8th and 10th graders between 1995 and 2004 who reported having used steroids at least once in their lifetime.

Hints: Use a different color to represent each grade level. Label the x-axis as the year, and the y-axis as the percent of students reporting use of anabolic steroids.

B. Analyze the Data

1. In which year did the highest percentage of 8th graders report having tried steroids at least once in their lifetime?

2. According to the data, between which years did the annual anabolic steroid use for 10th graders decrease the most? What was the percentage decrease?

3. Compare the percentage of 8th and 10th graders who reported having tried steroids at least once in their lifetime. In which year was there an unusual trend? Explain.

Take It Further

Divide a sheet of paper into two columns. In the left column, list reasons why someone might think about using steroids. In the right column, list arguments against using steroids.

ANSWERS

1. In 2000, the highest percentage of 8th graders in the U.S. reported to have tried steroids at least once in their lifetime.

2. The greatest decrease in annual anabolic steroid use for 10th graders occurred between 2002 and 2003. The percentage difference was 0.5 percent.

3. Usually, a higher or the same percentage of 10th graders compared to 8th graders report trying steroids at least once in their lifetime. But in 1998, the percentage of 8th grade users was higher.

Percentage of Students Who Reported Using Steroids

                     8th Graders

Year          Annual *      Lifetime *

1995             1.0            2.0
1996             0.9            1.8
1997             1.0            1.8
1998             1.2            2.3
1999             1.7            2.7
2000             1.7            3.0
2001             1.6            2.8
2002             1.5            2.5
2003             1.4            2.5
2004             1.1            1.9

                     10th Graders

Year           Annual        Lifetime

1995             1.2            2.0
1996             1.2            1.8
1997             1.2            2.0
1998             1.2            2.0
1999             1.7            2.7
2000             2.2            3.5
2001             2.1            3.5
2002             2.2            3.5
2003             1.7            3.0
2004             1.5            2.4

SOURCE: NATIONAL
INSTITUTE ON DRUG
ABUSE

* "Annual" refers to using
steroids at least once
during that year. "Lifetime"
refers to using steroids at
least once during a
respondent's lifetime.