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. 2023 May 27;19(1):45.
doi: 10.1186/s13223-023-00802-6.

Temporal examination of adult food insecurity amongst Canadian families managing food allergy

Michael A Golding  1   2 , Leslie E Roos  2   3 , Elissa M Abrams  1   2   4 , Jennifer D Gerdts  5 , Jennifer L P Protudjer  6   7   8   9   10
Affiliations

Temporal examination of adult food insecurity amongst Canadian families managing food allergy

Michael A Golding et al. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. .

Abstract

Background: Pediatric food allergy is associated with excess familial food costs compared to families without allergy. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, food prices have increased substantially.

Objective: To understand the temporal pattern of food insecurity amongst Canadian families with food allergy from the year prior to the pandemic, through May 2022.

Methods: Using data collected electronically from families reporting food allergy using a validated food security questionnaire, we estimated food insecurity, including categories of food insecurity (marginal, moderate, secure) in the year prior to the pandemic (2019; Wave 1), and the first (2020; Wave 2) and second years of the pandemic (2022; Wave 3).

Results: Participants in all waves were commonly in 2 + adult, 2 child households. Less than half of participants (Waves 1-3: 45.7%, 31.0%, and 22.9%, respectively) reported household incomes below the median Canadian. Common allergies were milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts. In Wave 1, 22.9% of families reported food insecurity; corresponding numbers at Waves 2 and 3 were 30.6% and 74.4%, respectively, representing an overall increase of 225.6%, including notable increases in severe food insecurity.

Conclusion: Canadian families with pediatric food allergy report higher rates of food insecurity compared to the general Canadian population, especially during the pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Food allergy; Food insecurity.

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Conflict of interest statement

MG declares no real or perceived conflicts of interest. LR declares no real or perceived conflicts of interest. EA is an employee of Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC); views expressed are her own and not those of PHAC. JG is the Executive Director of Food Allergy Canada, and is the co-lead of Canada’s National Food Allergy Action Plan. JP is Section Head, Allied, Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and is on the steering committee for Canada’s National Food Allergy Action Plan. She reports consulting for Novartis, Nutricia and ALK Abelló.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Prevalence of food insecurity amongst Canadian households managing food allergy between 2019 and 2022
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Category of food insecurity amongst Canadian households managing food allergy between 2019 and 2022
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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