Tracking food allergy trends: a comparison of two UK groups born 12 years apart

Tracking food allergy trends: a comparison of two UK groups born 12 years apart

  • 30 January 2025
  • Healthcare News
  • Research

A recent study published in Clinical and Experimental Allergy looked at how food allergies have changed over time by comparing two groups of children from the Isle of Wight—one born in 1989-1990 and the other in 2001-2002. This study explores how food allergies have changed over time on the Isle of Wight, by looking at the difference in allergic reactions in children, positive allergy test results (known as sensitisation), and confirmed cases of food allergies.

What the Study Found

The researchers reported that:

  • Rates of reported food reactions, positive allergy test results, and confirmed allergies remained largely stable over the two decades.
  • At first, it looked like less children aged 3 – 4 were allergic to cow’s milk, while more 10-year-olds were developing peanut allergies. Also, it seemed that younger children, between 1 and 3 years old, had fewer food allergies from 1989 to 2001. However, when researchers checked the numbers more carefully, they found that these changes weren’t strong enough to be considered reliable.

What Does This Mean?

The study indicates that food allergies have not increased as dramatically as some other research suggests, at least in this specific population. However, this does not mean that allergies are not a growing concern. It highlights that trends can vary depending on the group being studied and the methods used in the research. There is still a need for more studies to better define and understand food allergies.

The study does have some limitations:

  • The way allergies were diagnosed differed slightly between the two groups, which could affect comparisons.
  • Other factors, like changes in diet or diagnostic tools over time, might have influenced the results.

Why This Matters

This research underscores the importance of long-term studies that track allergy trends in the general population. It is one of the few studies in Europe to monitor food allergies in the same area over time. While food allergies remain a significant concern, the findings suggest that the situation may not be worsening as quickly as previously thought. This emphasises the need for further thorough and consistent research to help us better understand these trends and develop effective strategies for managing allergies.

For the full report, visit: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cea.14605