Living with food allergy: What this means for children

Abstract

Health-related knowledge, skills and attitudes that translate to behaviours are important foundations for healthy living. However, deficiencies in any one of these factors have the potential to impact quality of life. This study investigates how Australian children perceive and manage their food allergy as they transition through childhood onto adolescence. To measure this, children aged 12 years and under completed an online survey [under 8 years and 8–12 years] on knowledge, skills and attitudes. Although recruitment involved advertisements to over 700 Australian pre-schools, 44 allergy specialists and multiple representations to the patient support group, Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, completion relied on parental notification and/or guidance. Of the 139 participants recruited, 114 commenced the survey with 65 participants under 8 years (58%) and 49 between 8 and 12 years. Results showed participants recognised different ways to keep safe with children under 8 years ( N = 65) 100% cognisant of the need to check with ‘Mum/Dad’ or teachers if they could safely eat food as well as the importance of not swapping lunches, while there was a slight change in compliance for those aged 8–12 years as three (6.1%, n = 3/49) children did not see the necessity of asking an adult/teacher if a food item was safe to eat. Older children were also less likely to tell friends about their food allergy even if they thought they were having an allergic reaction, despite children under 8 years more likely to feel different to friends (38%, n = 24/64) compared to those aged 8–12 years (31%, n = 14/45). Although both groups disliked parents’ fussing, for children under 8 years, there was a strong association between this and ‘feeling different to friends'. Results from this study highlight the importance of normalising food allergy at home and in the community, so children are confident in telling others about their food allergy.

Beliefs about food allergies in adolescents aged 11–19 years: A systematic review

“…When discussing behaviour and understanding of others, peer relationships were thought to be difficult to manage due to the lack of knowledge of FA among peers, supporting research that peer attitudes are important for adolescents with allergic conditions 13 leading adolescents to be more reluctant to disclose their FA. 45 Adolescence is a sensitive time for social relationships and personal development. Lack of support from peers during this time could result in negative emotions and reduced quality of life in those with FA, and lead to greater distress in parents.…”

“…As a lack of trust was reported in secondary schools, especially in teachers, 28 it would be useful to develop educational and peer-support interventions for 11-19-year olds, during a time when they experience transition into and out of secondary school, especially as a shift is suggested at around 12 years of age, where children rely less on parents and teachers and are less likely to disclose their FA to friends. 5,45 Teachers and other school staff may benefit from training regarding managing FA and how to navigate risk. Peers in school should receive further education about FA, potentially utilising whole-school toolkits such as by Higgs et al 48 which may reduce bullying and stigma.…”