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Food allergy in Asia.
Lynette Pei-Chi Shek1, Bee Wah Lee
1Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. paeshekl@nus.edu.sg
Summary
Food allergy patterns in Asia are unique, with distinct allergens and a rising prevalence. More research is needed to understand the scale of food allergies across the diverse Asian region.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Food allergy prevalence is rising globally, particularly in Western populations.
- Limited data exists on food allergy epidemiology and unique allergens in Asia.
- Asian dietary habits and cultural practices contribute to distinct food allergen profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology and clinical features of food allergy in Asia.
- To identify and introduce unusual food allergens prevalent in the Asian region.
- To highlight the unique characteristics of food allergy in Asia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on food allergy and anaphylaxis in Asia.
- Analysis of epidemiological data and clinical case reports.
- Characterization of regional food allergens.
Main Results:
- Food is a significant trigger for severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in Asia.
- Peanut and tree nut allergies are less common causes of reactions in Asia compared to Western countries.
- Progress has been made in identifying unique Asian food allergens, but data remains scarce in many areas.
Conclusions:
- The pattern of food allergy in Asia is distinct and requires further investigation.
- A lack of comprehensive epidemiological data hinders a full understanding of the problem.
- Increased public awareness and identification of key regional allergens are crucial.