Calcium Intake in Children with Eczema and/or Food Allergy: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Eczema and food allergy may impact diet. Using data from a cohort of Manitoba children born in 1995, we examined calcium intake, defined as the frequency and quality of calcium products consumed (with the exception of cheese), amongst Manitoba adolescents (12-14 years) with eczema or food allergy in childhood (7-8 years) or adolescence. At both ages, children were assessed by a physician for eczema and food allergy. Adolescents completed food frequency questionnaires. Calcium intake was defined as 1+ vs. <1 weekly. Linear and logistic regression was used as appropriate, with adjustments for confounders. Overall, 468 adolescents were included, of whom 62 (13.3%) had eczema only in childhood, 25 (5.3%) had food allergy only, and 26 (5.6%) had eczema and food allergy. Compared to children without eczema, those with eczema only had poorer calcium intake in adolescence (β -0.44; 95%CI -0.96; 0.00). Girls, but not boys, with eczema in childhood had poorer calcium intake in adolescence than girls without eczema (β -0.84; 95%CI -1.60; -0.08). These patterns persisted even if children experienced transient vs. persistent eczema to adolescence. Similar but non-significant trends were found for food allergy. Childhood eczema is associated with significantly lower calcium intake and consumption in adolescence. These differences persist to adolescence, even if a child "outgrows" their allergic condition.

Keywords: adolescents; calcium; dairy; food allergy.

Figure 1

Intake patterns of calcium-rich foods in adolescence, amongst children with neither food allergy nor eczema, or one or both conditions. * Calcium-fortified orange juice consumption defined as no vs. yes.