Risk factors for food allergy among children in Seoul: focusing on dietary habits and environmental factors

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the prevalence of food allergies and allergenic factors in a selected sample of children living in Seoul, Korea, along with their dietary habits, environmental factors, and diseases as risk factors for food allergy. The results of this study will provide basic data for addressing food allergies. Methods: We selected 3,004 preschool and school-age children, aged 0~12, in the 25 districts of Seoul as the study sample. Structured self-report questionnaires were administered over a two-month period in July-August 2018, and the children's parents recorded the answers on their children's behalf. The research tools in this study included the Korean version of the questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Results: The physician-diagnosed prevalence rate of food allergies was 14.2%, while 20.4% of the children experienced allergic symptoms at least once and 17.4% reported symptoms within the previous 12 months. The children's symptoms included skin problems (88.1%), gastrointestinal issues (19.2%), oral issues (16.7%), respiratory issues (12.7%), and systemic issues (1.3%). The causes of allergies included eggs, peaches, milk, peanuts, and shrimps. The factors influencing the experience of food allergies were the consumption of cereal (aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.092 .10; p = 0.013), potatoes (aOR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.33~2.65; p < 0.001), and fast food (aOR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.10~2.72; p = 0.017). Having food allergy symptoms was associated with a higher risk of experiencing asthma (aOR, 4.22 95% CI, 3.10~5.76; p < 0.001), allergic rhinitis (aOR, 2.53; 95% CI, 2.03~3.15; p < 0.001), and atopic dermatitis symptoms (aOR, 3.56; 95% CI, 2.88 4.40; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Episodes of food allergies warrant examining regular food consumption and placing dietary restrictions through early diagnosis as these episodes may imply the presence of other allergies. Our findings offer basic insights into the patterns, prevalence and symptoms of children's food allergies in Seoul, and our findings will contribute to identifying effective interventions for food allergies.

Association between household income levels and nutritional intake of allergic children under 6 years of age in Korea: 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and application of machine learning

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated that subjects with allergic diseases tend to exhibit poorer eating habits than their normal counterparts. This phenomenon might be attributed not only to food choices but also to societal, cultural, and attitudinal aspects related to eating ( 18 , 21 ). Consequently, there appears to be a need for educational efforts aimed at enhancing eating habits from early childhood, addressing issues such as picky eating, meal skipping, and mealtime behaviors.…”