The effects of increased muscle mass, strength, and bone density resulting from steroids are referred to as what?

The correct choice highlights the anabolic effects, which are specifically associated with the physiological processes that lead to increased muscle mass, strength, and bone density. Anabolic outcomes involve the synthesis of new proteins and the promotion of tissue growth, which are facilitated by certain hormones, including anabolic steroids.

Anabolic steroids mimic the effects of testosterone and other hormones, enhancing protein synthesis within muscles and leading to hypertrophy. This results in not only larger muscle size but also improved strength and improved skeletal structure through increased bone density.

In contrast, catabolic effects relate to the breakdown of muscle tissue and the use of stored energy, which is not the outcome associated with steroids. Hormonal effects are a broader term that may include both anabolic and catabolic actions, but the specific increase in muscle and bone from steroids aligns more accurately with anabolic effects. Metabolic effects generally refer to the overall biochemical processes in the body, including energy production and utilization, rather than specifically highlighting growth in muscle and bone.