Demographic characteristics associated with food allergy in a Nationwide Canadian Study

We conducted a nationwide Canadian telephone survey on food allergy prevalence between February 2016 and January 2017, targeting vulnerable populations (New, Indigenous, and lower-income Canadians).

To examine the independent effect of demographic characteristics on food allergy.

Canadian households with vulnerable populations were targeted using Canadian Census data and the household respondent reported whether each household member had a perceived (self-reported) or probable (self-report of a convincing history or physician diagnosis) food allergy. The association between perceived and probable food allergy and demographic characteristics was assessed through weighted multivariable random effects logistic regressions.

Children, females, Canadian-born participants, adults with post-secondary education, and those residing in smaller households were more likely to report perceived or probable food allergy. Although immigrant parents self-reported less food allergy, Canadian-born children of Southeast/East Asian immigrant versus other immigrant or Canadian-born parents reported more food allergy.

We have demonstrated clear associations between demographic characteristics and food allergy, which may provide important clues to the environmental determinants of food allergy.