• Survey of Parents with Healthy Adult Children-Control Group

  • Thank you for considering participating in this research study.  If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns please contact us at:  bufoodstudy@gmail.com or 617-964-1807

    Aim:  The aim of the study is to examine whether certain characteristics differ in children and families where an eating disorder develops, and children and families that develop without an eating disorder, thus called "normal/control".

    Your role in the study.  You are being asked to complete an online survey because you have an adult child who is between 22 and 30 who is not eating disordered, and has never been hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. Your child must be at least 22 so he/she has passed the age of onset, and must be less than 30, so you will be better able to remember his/her childhood.  

    If you have several children that meet these criteria, choose one and answer the questions with that one child in mind.

    If we have questions, we might email you later for clarification.  If you would like a copy of our final study, please indicate it on the survey form, and we will be happy to send it to you.

    The study takes  20-30 minutes.

    Risks and Discomforts

    There are two discomforts that might arise from participating in this study.  First, is the time commitment.  Second is the potential risk to breach of confidentiality. 

    If you have any questions you can contact Barbara Scolnick, MD at bufoodstudy@gmail.com or 617-964-1807

    Confidentiality

    Data including your email which is the only identifying feature will be stored in a password-protected computer only accessible to the investigators, and destroyed at the end of the research.  All research data will be assigned a code.  The list that links the email address to their code will be kept separately in a locked cabinet.  Only the research team  and the Boston University Institutional Review Board will have access to the master-code.  The investigators will take appropriate care to protect the confidentiality of your private information.  However, there is a slight chance that others could learn information about you from this study.

    Benefits

    You will receive no benefit from participating in this study.  This is a totally altruistic decision on your part.  Your alternative is to not participate in this study.

    If this survey is successful in identifying overlooked risk factors for eating disorders, children with eating disorders may benefit from your participation in this study.

    Costs/Payments

    You will not be paid to participate in this research study.

    Voluntary Participation

    Taking part in this research is voluntary.  You have a right to refuse to take part in this study.  If you decide to be in this study you can refuse to answer any question if you wish.  If you decide to be in this study and then change your mind, you can withdraw from the research.  Refusal to participate will not involve any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

    If there are any new findings during the study that may affect whether or not you wish to continue to take part in the research, you will be told about them as soon as possible.  The investigator may decide to stop your participation in the study without your consent.  This might happen if he decides that staying in the study will be bad for you of if he decides to stop the study.

    Contacts

    If you have any questions regarding this research of if you have a research related injury, either now or at any time in the future, please contact David I Mostofsky PhDProfessor, Department of Psychology at 617-35-2799, or email dmostof@bu.edu.

    You may obtain further information about your rights as a research subject by calling the BU CRC IRB Office at 617-358-6115 or irb@bu.edu.

    Agreement to Participate

    You are not required to sign this consent form.  You should be given an opportunity to ask questions about the study and have your questions answered to your satisfaction before you agree to participate.  Please email us with any questions bufoodstudy @gmail.com or phone us at 617-964-1807

  • By selecting "I agree" you acknowledge that you agree to participate in the study.*
  • 3 Are you the child's
  • 6 Is your child female or male?
  • 7 Was your child adopted?
  • 8 Are the parents
  • 9 Growing up, did your child live with
  • 11 How would you characterize your socioeconomic status?
  • 12 What type of community did your family live during your child's early years?
  • 13 What ethnic group is your child?

  • Family History

  • 19 Did or does a close relative to the child--parent, sibling, grandparent,aunt uncle, first cousin have an eating disorder?
  • 20 Did or does a close relative to the child have an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease or lupus?
  • 21 Did or does a close relative suffer from alcoholism or other substance abuse?
  • 22 Did or does a close relative suffer from a psychiatric disorder such as anxiety, depression, OCD, bipolar, schizophrenia?
  • 23 Did or does a close relative suffer from a gastrointestinal disease?
  • 24 Did or does a close relative suffer from diabetes ?
  • 25 Did or does a close relative have the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder?
  • 26 Do any siblings struggle now or in the past with weight issues?
  • 27 Do people in the mothers or fathers families seem to live to a "ripe old age" in relatively good health?

  • Pregnancy, Infancy, and Early Childhood

  • 28 The pregnancy and delivery were not complicated.
  • 29 Did the mother eat red meat during the pregnancy?
  • 32 Did your child have neonatal jaundice?
  • 33 Your infant was predominately breast fed.
  • 34 As an infant or toddler, did your child have a milk allergy?
  • 35 As an infant or toddler, did your child have any other food allergies?
  • 36 Did any of your other children have a milk or other food allergies?
  • 37 Generally he/she was a healthy child.
  • 38 Did your child have any hospitalizations or surgeries?
  • 39 Your child had frequent ear infections.
  • 40 Did your child have myringotomies (tubes in the ears)?
  • 41 Your child was frequently on antibiotics.
  • 42 As a toddler and young child, were there sleep problems?
  • 43 Did you child have a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy?

  • Eating Habits in Childhood

  • 44 Generally, as a child, he/she was a picky eater.
  • 45 Generally, as a child, he/she was an adventurous eater.
  • 46 Generally, as a child, he/she had a limited repertoire of foods he/she would eat.
  • 47 Generally, as a child, he/she was willing to try new foods.
  • 48 Generally, as a child, he/she often had concerns about textures of food--too mushy, etc.
  • 49 Generally, as a child, he/she liked very spicy and strong flavors.
  • 50 As a child, he/she seemed to have a "mature palate", eating a wide range of foods.
  • 51 As a child, he/she seemed to like unusual foods or food combinations.
  • 52 As a child he/she frequently had 2nd and 3rd helpings.
  • 53 As a child you worried that he/she was not eating enough.
  • 54 As a child, you worried about portion control and that he/she might be eating too much.
  • 55 As a child, he/she had a sweet tooth.
  • 56 As a child, he/she liked "junk food" such as candy, sodas, chips.
  • 57 As a child, he/she had favorite foods.
  • 58 As a child, he/she loved chocolate.
  • 59 As a child, he/she was at times a vegetarian.
  • 60 During his/her childhood, the family was at times vegetarian.
  • 61 As a child he/she drank soda at least 2x/week.
  • 62 As a child, he/she used artificial sweeteners like Splenda, Equal.
  • 63 As a child he/she drank milk daily.
  • If so, the milk was
  • 64 As a child he/she took a multivitamin most days.
  • 65 As a child he/she was considered to be in the normal range for weight.
  • 66 As a child, he/she was considered overweight by friends, coaches or parents.
  • 67 As a child, he/she was considered underweight by friends, coaches, or parents.
  • 68 The family ate together at least 5 meals/week.
  • 69 The family ate at a table most nights.
  • 70 The TV was usually on during dinner.
  • 71 Someone in the family frequently struggled with his/her weight.
  • 72 Someone in the family was frequently dieting.
  • 73 There were usually low fat, diet and artificial sweeteners in the house.
  • 74 Did someone in the family require special foods due to a medical conditon?
  • 75 Did the family keep special religious food laws?
  • 76 Most meals were home cooked.
  • 77 Generally, chicken was eaten at least once/week.
  • 78 Generally, fish was eaten at least once/week.
  • 79 Generally, red meat was eaten at least once/week.
  • 80 Generally pasta was eaten at least once/week.
  • 81 Someone in the family really enjoyed cooking.
  • 82 The family made an effort to eat what was in season.
  • 83 The family ate at a fast food restaurant like Mc Donalds or Burger King at least once/month.
  • 84 The family ordered take out dinners at least once/week.

  • Childhood Traits

  • 85 As a child he/she was active and played outside most days.
  • 86 As a child, was he/she on a sports team?
  • 87 During childhood, he/she was frequently cold and needed more clothing even when others were comfortable.
  • 88 During childhood, he/she was frequently warm and needed less clothing even when others were comfortable.
  • 89 During childhood, he/she seemed to have a high pain threshold.
  • 90 During childhood, your child was considered to be an anxious child.
  • 91 During childhood, your child had OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) tendencies.
  • 92 During childhood, he/she seemed inflexible and/or had difficulty with transitions.
  • 93 During childhood, he/she showed an excessive need for order and symmetry.
  • 94 During childhood, he/she seemed overly worried.
  • 95 During childhood, he/she was seen as a perfectionist.
  • 96 During childhood, did your child see a psychiatrist or therapist?
  • 97 Did your child take psychiatric medications?
  • 98 During childhood, your child seemed to have at least one or 2 close friends.
  • 99 Your child had sensory issues, such as his/her clothes had to be very tight or very baggy or he/she did not like the feeling of tags in clothes.
  • 100 Your child had sensory issues about food, such as not liking "mushy foods", textures, etc.
  • 101 Your child had an unusually acute sense of smell.
  • 102 Your child had unusual sensitivities to loud sounds.
  • 103 During childhood, your child seemed to be overly concerned about how his/her body looked.
  • 104 During later childhood, your child was interested in fashion and fashion magazines.
  • 105 During later childhood your child was interested in "building muscles" or working out.
  • 106 Your child was considered by many to be athletically gifted.
  • 107 Your child was considered by many to be gifted in other areas, such as musically, artistically, academically.
  • 108 Did your child ever have surgery including minor surgery?
  • 109 Did your child ever experience a sports injury?
  • 110 Did your child ever change schools, or did the family move?
  • 111 Did anyone ever advise your child to lose weight?
  • 112 As a youngster did your child experience an emotional trauma?
  • 113 Did your child ever "give up" a specific food? e.g. chocolate for Lent?
  • 114 Did your child participate in a healthy eating curriculum?
  • 115 Was your child weighed in school as part of a school program?
  • 116 Did your child became interested in healthy eating and exercise?
  • 117 If so, were you initially delighted that your child was adopting healthy habits?
  • 118 Did your child ever become overly concerned about how his/her body appeared?
  • 119 Did your child ever adopt vegetarianism?
  • 119 Did your child ever stop eating red meat?
  • 122 Your child exercised compulsively.
  • 123 When your child was a teenager, did he/she use Splenda, Equal and/or other artificial sweeteners.
  • 124 As a teenager, your child started drinking coffee and/or increased their amount of intake.
  • 125 As an older child, teen, or young adult, did your child ever go on a diet?
  • 127 How did you find out about this study?
  • 128 Would you like a copy of our final report sent to your email address
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