Demographic Predictors of Peanut, Tree Nut, Fish, Shellfish, and Sesame Allergy in Canada

Abstract

Background. Studies suggest that the rising prevalence of food allergy during recent decades may have stabilized. Although genetics undoubtedly contribute to the emergence of food allergy, it is likely that other factors play a crucial role in mediating such short-term changes. Objective. To identify potential demographic predictors of food allergies. Methods. We performed a cross-Canada, random telephone survey. Criteria for food allergy were self-report of convincing symptoms and/or physician diagnosis of allergy. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess potential determinants. Results. Of 10,596 households surveyed in 2008/2009, 3666 responded, representing 9667 individuals. Peanut, tree nut, and sesame allergy were more common in children (odds ratio (OR) 2.24 (95% CI, 1.40, 3.59), 1.73 (95% CI, 1.11, 2.68), and 5.63 (95% CI, 1.39, 22.87), resp.) while fish and shellfish allergy were less common in children (OR 0.17 (95% CI, 0.04, 0.72) and 0.29 (95% CI, 0.14, 0.61)). Tree nut and shellfish allergy were less common in males (OR 0.55 (95% CI, 0.36, 0.83) and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.43, 0.91)). Shellfish allergy was more common in urban settings (OR 1.55 (95% CI, 1.04, 2.31)). There was a trend for most food allergies to be more prevalent in the more educated (tree nut OR 1.90 (95% CI, 1.18, 3.04)) and less prevalent in immigrants (shellfish OR 0.49 (95% CI, 0.26, 0.95)), but wide CIs preclude definitive conclusions for most foods. Conclusions. Our results reveal that in addition to age and sex, place of residence, socioeconomic status, and birth place may influence the development of food allergy.

Eczema in Early Childhood, Sociodemographic Factors and Lifestyle Habits Are Associated with Food Allergy: A Nested Case-Control Study

“…Similar to previous studies by our group and others, high income was associated with higher odds of food allergy [1,9] . In line with previous findings by our group, high education was associated with tree nut allergy [9] .…”

“…In a previous population-based telephone survey performed between May 2008 and March 2009, Canadians of lower income and education and New Canadians were underrepresented [7,9,10] . Hence, to ensure these vulnerable populations were included in our subsequent 2010/2011 study, we used a targeted sampling strategy that included regions containing the highest proportions of those of lower income and education, immigrants, and those of self-reporting Aboriginal identity.…”

A systematic review of socioeconomic position in relation to asthma and allergic diseases

“…Together, these studies reported on 11 relationships between SEP and different allergies, of which nine results in seven studies pointed towards a higher prevalence for people of higher SEP [51][52][53][54][55][56][57]. One study found no relationship between SEP and doctor-diagnosed atopic eczema in Japanese children [58].…”

Infant Feeding Practices and Reported Food Allergies at 6 Years of Age

“…These findings support other observations showing the relative importance of socioeconomic and atopic factors in childhood food allergies. 22,[25][26][27] Early life feeding practices, such as exclusive breastfeeding duration and timing of introduction of complementary foods in relation to important dietary milestones at 4 or 6 months of age, were not significantly associated with overall pFA. However, children who were exclusively breastfed for at least 4 months had borderline significantly lower odds of developing a new pFA compared with those who were not exclusively breastfed.…”