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1 in 13 US Kids Has Food Allergy

New research doubles government estimate

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 20, 2011 9:23 AM CDT

(Newser) – One in 13 American kids suffers from food allergies, a study finds: That’s 6 million children, double the number most recently estimated by the CDC. Some 40% of them have severe reactions to the foods in question, most commonly peanuts and milk, a figure researchers say emphasizes the fact that food allergies aren’t just annoyances, but can be dangerous. Researchers studied 40,104 children through online interviews with parents.

The findings mean 8% of US kids—or about two per classroom—have food allergies. The new data “confirms that food allergy is a substantial public health problem," says an investigator with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The study was funded by parent-founded advocacy group the Food Allergy Initiative, which is working with the CDC to create guidelines on how to handle food allergies in schools, the AP reports. (Here's one messy case of a school clashing with a student who is allergic to peanuts.)

6 million US kids have a food allergy, a study says.
6 million US kids have a food allergy, a study says.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
bewilderbeast
Jun 21, 2011 6:37 AM CDT
What I like is that 12 out of 13 kids don't.
AustinFound
Jun 20, 2011 8:43 PM CDT
Kids are surrounded with antimicrobial everything and aren't being given a fair chance to build up antibodies the way it's been done for millions of years. The safest thing you could do for your kid is take them to a farm with lots of animals and roll them around in the hay and take them home and not bathe them.
kaf27033
Jun 20, 2011 10:56 AM CDT
rjm----care to share any evidence to support your theory?
Health • Lifestyle • US

 
milk • allergy • pediatrics • peanut allergy

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