Teens hoping to add a little muscle are increasingly turning to dietary supplements to do the trick, according to a new study published in Pediatrics. Boys were the most likely to use such enhancers. However, experts warn that these over-the-counter supplements can lead to other problems. Indeed, kids who start off with protein shakes eventually may gravitate to other drugs such as steroids. In fact, some teens who admitted to using supplements also admitted to drug use.

“I think having an open discussion about the use of any of these products designed to increase body mass and strength is important,” says Dr. Nicholas Fletcher of the Emory University School of Medicine. “If you don’t get at the point early and discuss danger areas such as steroid use, then it may get away from you.” (CNN)

Paul Asay has covered religion for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for Plugged In and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He lives in Colorado Springs with wife, Wendy, and two children. Follow him on Twitter.