To measure the prevalence of dry scooping, researchers studied the eating behaviours of more than 2,731 Canadian adolescents and young adults over a 12-month period.

According to the research, 17% of the volunteers reported having practiced dry scooping at least once in the past 12 months, and on average 50 times over this period.

This pattern was “significantly more common among men (21.8%) compared to women (14.2%),” the study states.

Those most likely to practice dry scooping are young people who do weight training and spend greater time on social media, as well as those with symptoms of muscle dysmorphia.

This psychological disorder, often associated with young men, causes people to perceive themselves as being more frail or underdeveloped than they really are, leading them to develop an excessive preoccupation with gaining muscle mass.

“Our data shows that novel dietary phenomena that become popularised on social media and within gym culture can lead to a greater likelihood of engagement.

“We need to be thinking of these risk factors as potential areas of prevention and intervention,” said lead author Kyle T Ganson, assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, in a statement.

Workout supplement powders are known to be the ally of regular athletes or workout enthusiasts. Containing amino acids, caffeine, carbohydrates and creatine phosphate, they give strength to muscles and help them endure intense training sessions. But the ingestion of this powder is not without risks.

Dry scooping can cause inhalation issues, heart abnormalities, as well as digestive problems.

In June 2021, a follower of the practice, Briatney Portillo, had revealed she had a heart attack after consuming the protein powder, in the midst of the “dry scooping challenge” craze.

“We need health care and mental health care providers to be knowledgeable of these unique dietary practices aimed at increasing performance and musculature, such as dry scooping,” concludes Ganson.