Prevalence and influencing factors on food allergy among children aged 0-5 years in China

Abstract

Objective: To describe the prevalence of food allergy among children aged 0-5 years in China and to explore related influencing factors. Methods: Multistage stratified random sampling method was used to collect data from 275 surveillance sites of the China National Nutrition and Health Survey of Chinese children and lactating mothers programs in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) of China in 2016-2017. A total of 70 107 participants aged 0-5 years were included in this study. The study collected information of participants' demographic characteristics and food allergies by face-to-face questionnaire. The prevalence of food allergy was analyzed, using the complex data weighting method. The logistic regression models were used to analyze the influencing factors related to food allergy. Results: The overall prevalence of self-reported food allergy among children aged 0-5 years was 4.81%. Prevalence rates in infants aged 0-5 months, and 6-23 months and preschool children aged 2-5 years were 0.81%, 4.68% and 5.26%, respectively. The results of logistic analysis showed that there was a significantly positive correlation between factors including children from 6 months to 5 years old, urban area, southwest area, first-born, mothers with college education or above, and the prevalence of food allergy in children. Shrimp, poultry eggs, crab shellfish, fruit, milk and fish appeared the common allergic foods in children aged 0-5 years, with prevalence rates of self-reported food allergy as 1.55%, 1.25%, 0.99%, 0.97%, 0.87% and 0.86%, respectively. The proportion of single food allergy in children with allergies was 69.85%. Conclusions: Among children aged 0-5 years, the prevalence of self-reported food allergy increases with age, in China. Foods that is prone to allergies include fish, shrimp, crab, shellfish, poultry eggs, milk and fruits, etc. Most allergies were only caused by single food in children, under observation.