It is emerging that food allergies pose a greater problem than thought of in previous years in the United States. Eight percent of kids below the age of 18 are said to be affected by food allergies. The effects range from mild to severe reactions. The amount translates to about 6 million kids. The University of Chicago researchers set out to do a more thorough study of the extent of the effects of allergies amongst children. This is on a background of previous studies suggesting a prevalence of as low as 1 percent.
Experts carrying out the study noted that kids were exposed to a wide range of allergies simply because of the wide range of foods consumed. Peanut allergy was the most leading in prevalence at a rate of 2 percent amongst a total of over 38000 kids surveyed. The prevalence of allergies also varied with age and social background of the kids involved in the study. For example it is thought using the results of the study that Asian and black kids have generally a higher likelihood of food allergies.
Other sources of allergy reactions included milk, shellfish and tree nut. Reactions to these foods consumed often include wheezing, low blood pressure and anaphylaxis. other foods delivering severe reactions amongst kids in America include soy and fin fish. The rapid changes in food diets in much of the western world may also be blamed for higher prevalence of allergies. A huge number of American kids is failing to eat a healthy diet. Eating non-organic and processed foods may also be a viable reason for growing allergies amongst our kids.
Based on the research it would appear that children above the age of 2 years are suffering greater from allergies. Statistically the study showed a prevalence of 6.3 percent amongst those under 2 and 8.6 percent amongst those above the age of 14. Perhaps confirming that the type of food consumed is correlated to the social status of the children the study revealed that kids living in households with yearly incomes of under $50000 were likely to be allergic. Perhaps those in low income families settled for the cheapest available foods whilst those from well to do families had an opportunity to pursue a healthy diet.
Understanding the prevalence of allergies and the main foods causing them will likely improve how best we deal with the problem at a household level, community level and even national level.
Experts carrying out the study noted that kids were exposed to a wide range of allergies simply because of the wide range of foods consumed. Peanut allergy was the most leading in prevalence at a rate of 2 percent amongst a total of over 38000 kids surveyed. The prevalence of allergies also varied with age and social background of the kids involved in the study. For example it is thought using the results of the study that Asian and black kids have generally a higher likelihood of food allergies.
Other sources of allergy reactions included milk, shellfish and tree nut. Reactions to these foods consumed often include wheezing, low blood pressure and anaphylaxis. other foods delivering severe reactions amongst kids in America include soy and fin fish. The rapid changes in food diets in much of the western world may also be blamed for higher prevalence of allergies. A huge number of American kids is failing to eat a healthy diet. Eating non-organic and processed foods may also be a viable reason for growing allergies amongst our kids.
Based on the research it would appear that children above the age of 2 years are suffering greater from allergies. Statistically the study showed a prevalence of 6.3 percent amongst those under 2 and 8.6 percent amongst those above the age of 14. Perhaps confirming that the type of food consumed is correlated to the social status of the children the study revealed that kids living in households with yearly incomes of under $50000 were likely to be allergic. Perhaps those in low income families settled for the cheapest available foods whilst those from well to do families had an opportunity to pursue a healthy diet.
Understanding the prevalence of allergies and the main foods causing them will likely improve how best we deal with the problem at a household level, community level and even national level.
No comments:
Post a Comment