New Study Reveals 1 in 13 Children Have Food Allergies

June 21st, 2011 Nancy

Have you seen the latest food allergy study in the headlines this week?  Here are the highlights:

  • 8% of children under the age of 18 in the US have food allergies
  • That converts to about 6 million children
  • 40% of those children have severe reactions
  • 30% of the children have multiple food allergies
  • Most common allergen is peanut followed by milk and shellfish

You can read more about the study here, here and here.

I have mixed emotions about this study.  Part of me is relieved to know that we are not the only ones dealing with these issues.  The more people who have these issues mean that there will be more “supply and demand” for allergy-friendly food at restaurants.

However, I am grieved that so many children and their parents are suffering and frustrated that there is so little known about the cause.  I am also grateful that my child has only had mild reactions.  I cannot imagine living with the constant fear of an anaphylactic reaction.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.  How do you feel about these new numbers?

Photo Credit: Bruce Tuten

Posted in Food Allergies 101
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2 Responses to “New Study Reveals 1 in 13 Children Have Food Allergies”

  1. Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy says:
    July 1, 2011 at 8:52 am

    To me, it’s a little scary! When will it end? And it seems like the allergies are getting more tenacious, hanging around for longer and causing more severe side effects. I really think part of the answer is in what we have exposed our bodies to: chemicals in the air, in ever product we touch and handle, and especially in our food. Our bodies were never made to process chemicals to the extent we have today. A side effect of that is the lack of probiotics in most people (myself included!).