City children more prone to food allergies: Study

The findings indicate that children in big cities are more than twice as likely to have allergies compared to rural communities

A recent study has suggested that children who live in urban centers are more likely to have food allergies than those living in rural areas.

"We have found for the first time that higher population density corresponds with a greater likelihood of food allergies in children," said lead author Ruchi Gupta.

Researchers studied more than 38,000 children aged 18 and younger. The results showed that 9.8 percent of children in urban centers have food allergies compared to 6.2 percent in rural areas.

The findings indicate that children in big cities are more than twice as likely to have allergies compared to rural communities.

"This shows that environment has an impact on developing food allergies. Similar trends have been seen for related conditions like asthma. The big question is -- what in the environment is triggering them? A better understanding of environmental factors will help us with prevention efforts," Gupta added.

According to researchers, about 2.8 percent of children in urban centers have peanut allergy compared to 1.3 percent in rural areas. The study also showed that shellfish allergies are more common in city centers than in rural areas.

Food allergy is one of the growing health problems as a severe allergic reaction could cause death by leading to a drop in blood pressure, trouble in breathing and swelling of the throat.

Scientists have warned that food allergies are serious and severe regardless of where a child lives.

The new findings will be published in the July issue of the journal Clinical Pediatrics.

TNP/HGH