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Feng H, Luo N, Lu Y, Lu J, Zhou J, Xiong X, Chen Z, Chen Y, Wu Y. Prevalence of parent-reported food allergy among children in China: A population-based cross-sectional survey. Front Immunol 2022; 13:982660. [PMID: 36578482 PMCID: PMC9791183 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.982660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The prevalence of food allergy (FA) has been increasing in recent years and has become an important public health, food safety, and clinical nutrition problem. However, population-based studies on the prevalence of FA are very limited in China. This study aims to determine the prevalence and pattern of parent-reported FA among school children in Jiangxi Province, China. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study on FA was conducted on primary school children aged 6-11 years old using random cluster sampling with a questionnaire survey. Parent-reported FA was used and defined as individual-reported FA by parent or guardian through a questionnaire in this study. Result Among the total of 8,856 (96.36%) complete questionnaires received, 727 (8.2%) children had adverse reactions to food (ARF). The prevalence rates of parent-reported FA and doctor-diagnosed FA were 6.2% and 3.3%, respectively. Animal-derived foods were the main causative source of FA, and the three leading allergenic foods were shrimp, mango, and mollusks. Skin reactions were the most common clinical manifestations of FA, accounting for 63.7%, and 45.32% of the subjects with parent-reported FA experienced severe allergic reactions. There was a significant difference in parent-reported FA between different survey centers, and FA risk increased significantly in children with other allergic diseases (P<0.001) and small family size (P=0.026). The FA prevalence was significantly higher among children aged 8-11 years than those aged 6-7 years (P=0.020). Conclusions A high prevalence of parent-reported FA was observed among children in general primary schools in Jiangxi Province, China. Shrimp, mango, and mollusks were the most common causative foods. The main common symptoms of FA were adverse reactions relating to the skin system. The rate of severe allergic reactions was also high in Jiangxi Children with reported FA. Local standards and policies for the prevention and management of FA need to be adjusted on a timely basis according to actual local conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China,School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Nan Luo
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yuanan Lu
- Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawaii, Hawaii, HI, United States
| | - Justin Lu
- Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawaii, Hawaii, HI, United States
| | - Jiangdong Zhou
- Fengxin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangxi, Yichun, China
| | - Xiujuan Xiong
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Sino German Joint Research Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Research Unit of Food Safety, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, National Health Commission (NHC), Key Lab of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Yongning Wu, ; Yan Chen,
| | - Yongning Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China,Research Unit of Food Safety, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, National Health Commission (NHC), Key Lab of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Yongning Wu, ; Yan Chen,
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Feng H, Luo N, Chen F, Li X, Wen Y, Liu C, Chen Y, Wu Y. Self-Reported Food Allergy Prevalence Among Elementary School Children - Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China, 2021. China CDC Wkly 2022; 4:761-765. [PMID: 36284534 PMCID: PMC9547745 DOI: 10.46234/ccdcw2022.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
What is already known about this topic? The prevalence of food allergy (FA) among the general population has been increasing in recent decades, and seriously affects the physical and mental health and the quality of life of many people - especially children. What is added by this report? The survey estimated self-reported FA prevalence using a standardized FA questionnaire among school children in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China in 2021. What are the implications for public health practice? Based on the local, epidemiological characteristics of food allergy, public policies on the prevention and management of FA should be developed and preventive practices should be promoted to decrease the overall prevalence of FA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Feng
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China,State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Nan Luo
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Fang Chen
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yu Wen
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Chengwei Liu
- Jiangxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Research Unit of Food Safety (No.2019RU014), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences: NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing, China,Yongning Wu,
| | - Yongning Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China,Research Unit of Food Safety (No.2019RU014), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences: NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing, China,Yan Chen,
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Feng H, Liu Y, Xiong X, Xu Q, Zhang Z, Wu Y, Lu Y. Epidemiological survey of self-reported food allergy among university students in China. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e29606. [PMID: 35945794 PMCID: PMC9351933 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000029606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self-reported food allergy among university students in China. A cluster-random sampling population-based cross-sectional study using self - administrated questionnaire was conducted with 2538 college students recruited from 6 universities in China. The questionnaire included data on age, sex, weight, height, FA, comorbid allergic diseases, family history, and understanding food allergy. Data were analyzed by SPSS 25.0 statistical software. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors related to self-reported food allergy and estimate the odds ratio. A total of 2538 questionnaires were distributed to the undergraduate students and 2313 completely effective questionnaires were collected, the effective response rate was 91.1%. 834 males and 1479 females were recruited, and their age ranged from 18 to 25 years old. The prevalence of self-reported food allergy was 15.7%, and the rate of doctor-diagnosed food allergy was 8.4%. The leading food allergens included shrimp, shellfish, milk, egg, peach, mango, beef, and peanut, and the prevalence of shrimp allergy was the highest (5.8%). The main clinical manifestation included skin mucous membrane and respiratory symptoms. The prevalence of food allergy were statistically significant difference (P < .05) between different age groups, family history, sun exposure times, smoking, and antibiotic use. Over 45% college students know little about food allergy. The prevalence of self-reported food allergy among Chinese college students was high (15.7%). Shrimp was the main allergenic food, followed by shellfish, milk, egg, peach, and mango. Family history, sun exposure, obesity, and using antibiotics may be the influencing factors of food allergy. The Chinese undergraduates lacked the knowledge about food allergy. Thus, it is necessary to strengthen the health education program on food allergy for college students in China and other middle high-income nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yong Liu
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xiujuan Xiong
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qunying Xu
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zhongwei Zhang
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yongning Wu
- NHC Key Lab of Food Safety Risk Assessment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (2019RU014 Food Safety), China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yongning Wu, NHC Key Lab of Food Safety Risk Assessment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (2019RU014 Food Safety), China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing 100022, China (e-mail: ), Yuanan Lu, Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawaii, USA (e-mail: )
| | - Yuanan Lu
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawaii, USA
- *Correspondence: Yongning Wu, NHC Key Lab of Food Safety Risk Assessment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (2019RU014 Food Safety), China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing 100022, China (e-mail: ), Yuanan Lu, Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawaii, USA (e-mail: )
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Sugunasingha N, Jones FW, du Toit G, Jones CJ. Evaluating an online self-help intervention for parents of children with food allergies. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2022; 33:e13731. [PMID: 35212055 PMCID: PMC9306710 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parents of children with food allergies (CwFA) experience reduced quality of life (QoL) and may have reduced access to in-person interventions in the COVID-19 pandemic. This trial developed and evaluated an online, self-help, information provision website, aimed at improving QoL in parents of CwFA. METHODS In a single-blinded, randomised controlled trial (RCT), participants were randomised to either receive access to the website or a waiting-list control. At baseline, post-intervention (week 4) and follow-up (week 8), measures of parental food allergy-related QoL, depression, anxiety, stress, intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and self-efficacy were obtained. RESULTS A total of 205 participants were randomised; 97% were females, 91% white and 78% educated ≥ degree level, with a mean age of 38.95 years (SD = 6.89). 44.9% (n = 92) were retained at follow-up. The arms did not significantly differ on any outcome at any time point. For a sub-group of participants above the clinical cut-off for depression at baseline, the intervention may have improved QoL. Participants reported the website content as useful and accessible, but accessed it infrequently. In baseline data, IU and self-efficacy were significantly associated with QoL. CONCLUSION While the COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged greater provision of online interventions, our RCT suggests this particular website is not suitable for this population in general, although future research could examine its efficacy for depressed parents of CwFA, to increase confidence that the sub-group finding was not a Type 1 error. The baseline data suggest IU and self-efficacy remain potential proximal targets for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Sugunasingha
- Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University, Tunbridge Wells, UK
| | - Fergal W Jones
- Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University, Tunbridge Wells, UK
| | - George du Toit
- Evelina Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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