Isolde Sommer1, Heather Mackenzie2, Carina Venter3, Taraneh Dean3. 1. School of Health Sciences and Social Work, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom; Department for Evidence-Based Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Danube University Krems, Krems, Austria. Electronic address: isolde.sommer@donau-uni.ac.at. 2. Graduate School, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom. 3. School of Health Sciences and Social Work, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom; David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Understanding food choice behavior in adolescence is important because many core eating habits may be tracked into adulthood. The food choices of at least 2.3% of teenagers living in the United Kingdom are determined by food allergies. However, the effect of food allergies on eating habits in teenagers has not yet been studied. OBJECTIVE: To provide an understanding of how teenagers with food allergies make food choice decisions and how these differ from those of non-food-allergic teenagers. METHODS: One focus group discussion with non-food-allergic teenagers (n = 11) and 14 semistructured interviewers (7 with food-allergic and 7 with non-food-allergic teenagers) were performed (age range, 12-18 years). The focus group discussion and interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Teenagers from both groups (food-allergic and non-food-allergic) named sensory characteristics of foods as the main reason for choosing them. Some food-allergic teenagers downplayed their allergy and frequently engaged in risk-taking behavior in terms of their food choices. However, they reported difficulties in trying new foods, especially when away from home. Parental control was experienced as protective by those with food allergies, whereas non-food-allergic teenagers felt the opposite. Most teenagers, including food-allergic ones, expressed the wish to eat similar foods to their friends. Other themes did not vary between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Food-allergic teenagers strive to be able to make similar food choices to their friends, although differences to non-food-allergic teenagers exist. It is important to address these differences to improve their dietary management.
BACKGROUND: Understanding food choice behavior in adolescence is important because many core eating habits may be tracked into adulthood. The food choices of at least 2.3% of teenagers living in the United Kingdom are determined by food allergies. However, the effect of food allergies on eating habits in teenagers has not yet been studied. OBJECTIVE: To provide an understanding of how teenagers with food allergies make food choice decisions and how these differ from those of non-food-allergic teenagers. METHODS: One focus group discussion with non-food-allergic teenagers (n = 11) and 14 semistructured interviewers (7 with food-allergic and 7 with non-food-allergic teenagers) were performed (age range, 12-18 years). The focus group discussion and interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Teenagers from both groups (food-allergic and non-food-allergic) named sensory characteristics of foods as the main reason for choosing them. Some food-allergic teenagers downplayed their allergy and frequently engaged in risk-taking behavior in terms of their food choices. However, they reported difficulties in trying new foods, especially when away from home. Parental control was experienced as protective by those with food allergies, whereas non-food-allergic teenagers felt the opposite. Most teenagers, including food-allergic ones, expressed the wish to eat similar foods to their friends. Other themes did not vary between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION:Food-allergic teenagers strive to be able to make similar food choices to their friends, although differences to non-food-allergic teenagers exist. It is important to address these differences to improve their dietary management.
Authors: Darío Antolín-Amérigo; Luis Manso; Marco Caminati; Belén de la Hoz Caballer; Inmaculada Cerecedo; Alfonso Muriel; Mercedes Rodríguez-Rodríguez; José Barbarroja-Escudero; María José Sánchez-González; Beatriz Huertas-Barbudo; Melchor Alvarez-Mon Journal: Clin Mol Allergy Date: 2016-02-17
Authors: Amanda M Ziegler; Christina M Kasprzak; Tegan H Mansouri; Arturo M Gregory; Rachel A Barich; Lori A Hatzinger; Lucia A Leone; Jennifer L Temple Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2021-04-21