Anthroposophic lifestyles

Children from farm families, anthroposophic families (Steiner families), the PARSIFAL study Dietary detail not reported. Anthroposophic lifestyle likely to include intake of biodynamic food Significant reduction in allergic symptoms and sensitisation between Steiner children and reference children (Alfven et al., 2006)... 

Aim JS, Swartz J, Lilja G, Scheynius A and Pershagen G (1999) Atopy in children of families with an anthroposophic lifestyle . Lancet, 353, 1485-1488. 

An anthroposophical lifestyle is one in which participants follow a system of beliefs and practice based on the teachings of Rudolph Steiner, maintaining that by correct training and personal discipline, one can attain experience of the spiritual world. Features of an anthroposophical lifestyle may include a choice not to immunise children, restricted use of antibiotics, increased exposure to childhood infections and dietary patterns which may influence the intestinal microflora [165(111), 166(111)]. A cross-sectional study comparing children in two Rudolph Steiner schools near Stockholm, Sweden, with children in neighbouring schools showed lower prevalence of atopy among children from the Steiner schools [166(111)]. There is further comment on this in Chapter 3. 

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