City dwelling children are more prone to food allergies

City dwelling children are more prone to food allergies than those living in the countrysideChildren who reside in built up urban city areas are apparently more likely to experience food allergies than their country bumpkin counterparts.

According to results of a recent US study, children who grow up in busy and urban areas stand a higher chance of developing intolerances to food such as shellfish and peanuts.

Though the exact reason for this is unknown, it is thought that children living in the city are exposed to certain pollutants at an early age, whilst those living in the countryside develop immunity.

Additional statistics also show that around 10 percent of those who are born in areas with a dense population suffer from some form of food allergy, whilst only six percent of those born in low population areas have the same problem.

Assistant professor of paediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and lead author of the study Ruchi Gupta said: ‘We have found for the first time that higher population density corresponds with a greater likelihood of food allergies in children.

‘This shows that environment has an impact on developing food allergies.’

Food allergy or intolerance is an issue that effects most people at some point during their lives. If you are concerned that you are allergic to a specific type of food or that you may have an intolerance – you should visit your healthcare provider as soon as possible to discuss your concerns.

We have also put together our own fact-sheet about food allergy and food intolerance to help you understand a little more about how they can develop, and more importantly – what, if anything, can be done. You can visit our Food Allergy and Food Intolerance fact-sheet here to find out more, or alternatively use our search tool to find and contact a nutritionist near you who may be able to provide additional information and support.

View and comment on the original Daily Mail article.

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Written by Emma Hilton
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Written by Emma Hilton
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