This study seeks to advance our understanding about anabolic steroid use and other image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) used to enhance or modify muscularity and body shape in the UK. It is designed to address the lack of evidence needed to inform the development and evaluation of interventions to prevent and reduce harms amongst those who use these substances.

The study is answering four key questions: How many IPED users are there in the UK and are there regional variations? What is the current status and focus of research in the UK? What are the services and interventions for IPED users in the UK? What are the key factors that may influence harmful IPED use?

The study is adopting a systems perspective to understand IPED use and inform our understanding of how we might respond to this public health problem.

Project team

• Dr Geoff Bates, Institute for Policy Research (IPR)
• Professor James McVeigh, Manchester Metropolitan University
• Professor Vivian Hope, Liverpool John Moores University
• Professor Marie-Claire Van Hout, Liverpool John Moores University
• Dr Ian Boardley, University of Birmingham
• Dr Robert Ralphs, Manchester Metropolitan University

Related

• Application Development Award Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs): Assessment of available intelligence and research gaps to inform intervention evaluation
• Newsletter: IPED use in the United Kingdom