Summary of A Risky Dietary Practice Popular Among Boys and Young Men:
A recent study has found that over 17% of Canadian adolescents and young adults engage in “dry scooping,” a risky dietary practice of ingesting pre-workout powders without a liquid, at least once a year. The study also revealed that those who weight train and spend more time on social media are more likely to engage in this behavior. Additionally, those with clinically significant symptoms of muscle dysmorphia were more likely to report dry scooping. The researchers concluded that more prevention and intervention efforts are needed to educate young people on the potential harms of dry scooping.
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Dry Scooping: A Risky Dietary Practice Among Young People
A recent Canadian study has uncovered a novel dietary phenomenon among adolescent boys and young adult men that has been dubbed “dry scooping.” Dry scooping is the practice of ingesting pre-workout powders without a liquid (i.e., the entire scoop in one shot without mixing with water as intended). The study, published in the journal Eating Behaviors, found that over 1 in 5 adolescent boys and young adult men have engaged in this risky dietary practice.
The Study
The study, led by Kyle T. Ganson, PhD, MSW, assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, analyzed data from over 2,700 Canadian adolescents and young adults from the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors. The researchers found that 17% of participants reported dry scooping at least one time in the previous year, and an average of 50 times over that time period.
The researchers also found that participants who engaged in weight training and spent greater time on social media were more likely to report dry scooping. The study also showed that participants who displayed clinically significant symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, a mental health condition characterized as the pathological pursuit of muscularity, were also more likely to report dry scooping.
The Health Effects of Dry Scooping
Dry scooping can have serious health effects, including issues with inhalation, cardiac abnormalities, and digestive issues. The lack of evidence on this novel dietary practice has left much information unknown, and health care and mental health care providers need to be knowledgeable of these unique dietary practices aimed at increasing performance and musculature.
Prevention and Intervention Efforts
The researchers called for more investigation on this topic, as well as prevention and intervention efforts, such as educating young people on the potential harms and lack of evidence of dry scooping. This could include providing health education on the potential harms of dry scooping and other risky dietary practices, as well as providing support for those who display signs of muscle dysmorphia.
Conclusion
The findings from this study underscore the importance of understanding and addressing the potentially harmful behaviors one may engage in to achieve one’s body ideal. Health care and mental health care providers need to be aware of these unique dietary practices and provide education and support for those who are engaging in them.
