It seems that most food allergy research these days, including the pioneering LEAP study published late last year, is focused on young children or babies. However, a recent study out of Melbourne, Australia – the School Nuts study – was instead focused on adolescents with food allergies. After reading this article reviewing the research, I thought it raised many points worth discussing.

Teens and Food Allergies: What Can We Learn From Australia’s Allergy Study?

It indicated that:

1. 44% of 10-14 year-old children had experienced a food-allergic reaction in the past year
2. Just shy of 10% of these children experienced a potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reaction
3. Reactions most commonly occurred at home versus restaurants, schools, or other venues
4. Teens and young adults are most at risk of dying from anaphylaxis (thought little research has been done on them)
5. There are many questions lingering regarding why these children are having such frequent reactions
6. Precautionary food labeling may actually be more problematic rather than helpful

The first two points are pretty straight-forward, albeit concerning, facts from the study. I’d like to comment on the last four.

Reactions most commonly occurred at home

I think most parents hit a “new level” of concern about their food-allergic children when these kids reach the age where they are going out with their friends alone, often to foodservice facilities (e.g. Starbucks, Chipotle, etc.). Parents also, of course, have a very difficult time sending their kids off to school for the first time (when they’re much younger, of course). That’s part of what makes this observation so shocking.

As parents, we think that if we can only keep our kids at home, they’ll be safe. This study says otherwise.

The article doesn’t say whether the at-home reactions occur more often when parents are present or not, but perhaps the knowledge and preparation sweeping schools and restaurants around the world are paying dividends. Or perhaps the explanation is simple – that kids are home more often than they are out. Either way, the bottom line is that parents need to teach kids about always being vigilant everywhere – even in their own house. I confess to not only having made one or two mistakes in my own home with my kids, but also being caught (thankfully) by my young daughter just prior to making one or two others. I am in my 40’s. She was 6 or 7 at the time.

Teens and young adults are most at risk of dying from anaphylaxis

I think this has always been the common assumption and won’t surprise that many people. As kids gain more freedom, they don’t have their parents – who have been taking precautions on their kids’ behalf for 10+ years – to watch over them and provide a strong layer of protection.

That said, I would posit the theory that adults with food allergies may be an even greater at-risk group than teens or younger children. In fact, most food allergy fatalities in restaurants that I’ve heard of have been adults. Why? Complacency. “I’ll be alright.” No epinephrine. No disclosure to restaurant staff. No vigilance. It’s a recipe for disaster and often leads to it. I can’t tell you how many food-allergic adults I’ve spoken to just in the last few months who don’t carry epinephrine! (For those, by the way, I print out and give them the form for free Auvi-Q’s – this seems to be the least onerous way to get epinephrine into the hands of those who “don’t want to be bothered.”) This is another reason to train our kids well now, whether or not they are the most at-risk group. Teach them to be vigilant and share with them the stories of adults who take risks that they eventually pay for (when the kids are emotionally ready). Hopefully, this will educate them for a lifetime.

There are many questions regarding why adolescents are having so many reactions

The common refrain is that kids at this age are greater risk-takers and thus the increase in reactions. Probably much truth to this, but I would suggest that it might not be the entire story. As mentioned above, just the fact that parents are not around as often clearly increases risk. Also, however, the article suggests two other possibilities: are they less educated about how to avoid the foods they need to avoid, or is their food allergy itself changing in nature? My instinct says these are less likely, but I wouldn’t rule them out and believe more studies can definitely help us find ways to lessen the risk to our children.

Precautionary food labeling may be more risky than less

“The food industry’s self-regulated ‘precautionary labeling,’ where consumers were warned the food ‘may contain traces of nuts’ was widely over-used and could lead to complacency. It is actually unhelpful for consumers because there is no indication about what is safe to eat. We think the food industry wants to cover themselves and in fact that’s doing a disservice to the consumer because the consumer is taking all of the risk… in my view, it’s become almost useless.”

This is a tough one. Clearly, the optional labeling leaves a lot to be desired. Are the food companies just covering themselves legally? Should we be given these “kind-of warnings,” like we are now? Or would it be best to have a more clear ‘safe’ or ‘not safe’ designation. This is far from a black-or-white subject, in my opinion, and would require a long blog in and of itself. For now, I will just pose the question.

One point I didn’t mention above, but I’d love to learn if it is true or not is the assertion that “Melbourne is the food allergy capital of the world.” Just for interest sake. My Spidey-sense doubts it.

So what do YOU think of this article and the points raised in it? Are your kids in this age group? Where do you agree/disagree? And where do you think my commentary is off-base or spot-on? We love hearing your opinions, so please share them below!

I would also point out that AllergyEats has, on its website and app, a list of tips for parents of teens with food allergies, and even a list of questions to ask when dining out, both of which might be helpful during this phase. Teens can save the tips to their smartphones and, as fast as you can say “selfie,” use them as a reference point when talking with restaurant staff.

Lastly, of course, please take a moment right now to rate all your recent food allergy dining experiences on the AllergyEats website or app. Each rating only takes a minute, but helps an entire community! We’re all in this together!