Analysis of dietary characteristics and food allergy of preschool children in Shanghai

Abstract

ObjectiveTo provide data basis for nutrition evaluation and improving measures for preschool children with food allergy， the current situation of food allergy， the eating habits and dietary characteristics of preschool children in Shanghai were analyzed.MethodsA total of 5 215 preschool children aged 3-6 years old were selected by stratified cluster sampling， covering 15 kindergartens in 6 districts of Shanghai （Hongkou， Jing’an， Xuhui， Minhang， Jiading and Chongming District）. The demographic characteristics， feeding environment， food allergy and food habits was collected from children’s parents by electronic questionnaires.ResultsThe self-reported food allergy in preschool children accounted for 16.8%. The highest proportion of allergenic food was aquatic products （including fish， shrimp and seafood etc.） （7.2%）， followed by eggs （5.3%）， milk or dairy products （4.2%）， fruits （2.4%）， nuts （2.1%）， beans （0.5%）， meat （0.5%）， flour （0.4%） and vegetables （0.4%）. Among the children with food allergy， 61.8% were allergic to one type of food only， and 24.9% were allergic to at least two types of food. Children with allergies to aquatic products and fruits tended to have a single food allergy， while those with allergies to eggs， milk and nuts tended to have a combination of two or more food allergies. Compared with children without food allergy， food allergic children had reduced consuming frequency of sensitized food but increased frequency of alternative food.ConclusionThere was a high proportion of parental reports on food allergy in preschool children in Shanghai. The main allergenic food was aquatic products， eggs， milk or dairy products and fruits. Children allergic to aquatic products tended to be single-type food allergy， while those allergic to egg， milk and nut tended to be allergic to multiple foods. Children with food allergy had obvious food avoidance behavior but potentially increased the intake of alternative food.

Keywords

• preschool children
• food allergy
• feeding behavior
• nutrients