Introduction
You are being asked to participate in this research study designed to investigate eating and exercise behaviors in runners. This study is being conducted by graduate student Christina Scharmer under the supervision of Dr. Drew Anderson, Associate Professor at the University at Albany, State University of New York. If you have any questions about participation in this study please contact cscharmer@albany.edu.

Why is this study being done?
This research has been developed to examine running as it relates eating and exercise behavior.  

What are the study procedures?  What will I be asked to do?
Your participation in this research study will consist of a brief survey. In order to participate, you only need complete a few demographic questions and several questionnaires online. The questionnaires consist of multiple choice, likert-scales, and self-report relating to eating and exercise behaviors, body image, and stress. The entire survey should take about 15 minutes to complete. 

 How long will it take?
Participation in the study is expected to take approximately 15 minutes.

What are the risks or inconveniences of the study? 
We do not anticipate any risk to you during your participation.  However, it is possible that you might feel slightly embarrassed when answering questions about yourself or your history. Additionally, some of the questions on eating behavior and body image may cause you to feel uncomfortable. If you experience distress during the study, we encourage you to contact your local healthcare provider.  If you do not have a healthcare provider, the following mental health-related hotlines may provide you with guidance:

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: 1-800-826-3632

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Mental Health America: 1-800-969-6642

If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency room or call the Albany County Mental Health 24-hour Crisis Hotline at (518) 447-9650 or the Samaritan Hospital 24-Hour Crisis Line at (518) 274-4345.

The Psychological Services Center offers therapy services at a reasonable cost ($10-$40/hour) and is located at 299 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12206; telephone: (518) 442-4900.

 
What are the benefits of the study?
Although you may not receive a direct benefit from your participation, others may ultimately benefit from the scientific knowledge gained from this research.  By completing this study, you will help us develop a better understanding of the risk and protective factors for disordered eating and exercise behaviors.

Will I receive payment for participation?  Are there costs to participate?
There are no costs to participate. To thank you for your participation if you choose to completed the extended questionnaire, you will have the choice to receive either an entry into a raffle for one of 5, 20 USD amazon.com gift-cards or, if you live in the New York Capital Region, a small running related prize (t-shirt or pint glass valued at ~10 USD). If you would like the small running related prize you will be provided with instructions for coordinating pickup at the end of this survey. Those choosing to enter the raffle with be notified, via email, if they win at the culmination of study recruitment (late summer/early fall 2018).

How will my personal information be protected?
All information obtained in this study is strictly confidential unless disclosure is required by law. The University’s Institutional Review Board responsible for monitoring this study may inspect the records.

To ensure your privacy and confidentiality, all response materials will be coded with a participant ID number. Your name will not be recorded on any of the questionnaires and thus will not be linked to your responses. Data will be entered and stored on a password protected electronic database available only to the researcher. Following entry into this database, paper copies of survey responses will be destroyed. None of your information will be connected to your name or any other personally identifying information.

Can I stop being in the study and what are my rights?
You should also know that participation in research is entirely voluntary. Even after you agree to participate in the research, you may decide to leave the study at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which you may otherwise have been entitled. You should also be aware that the investigator may withdraw you from participation at his/her professional discretion.

Whom do I contact if I have questions about the study?
 Take as long as you like before you make a decision. We will be happy to answer any question you have about this study. If you have further questions about this project or if you have a research-related problem, you may contact the principal investigator via email at cscharmer@albany.edu or via phone at (319) 389-6996. The faculty advisor, Drew Anderson, can be reached via email at daanderson@albany.edu or via phone at (518) 442-4835.

Whom do I contact if I have questions about my rights as a study participant?
Research at the University Albany involving human participants is carried out under the oversight of the Institutional Review Board (IRB). This research has been reviewed and approved by the IRB. If you have any questions concerning your rights as a research subject or if you wish to report any concerns about the study, you may contact University at Albany Office of Pre-Award and Compliance Services at 1-866-857-5459 or hsconcerns@albany.edu.

Question Title

* I have read, or been informed of, the information about this study. I hereby consent to participate in the study. By indicating below, I attest that I am 18 years of age or older.

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