Food allergy perception

Altman, D. R., and Chiaramonte, L. T. (1997). Public perception of food allergy. Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 4, 95-99. 

Wood59 reports that, of the seven most common food allergies, two are associated with significant sources of food starch, namely, wheat and com. Some food processors, sensitive to consumer perceptions of labeling, have sought to reformulate using tapioca starch or to specify tapioca starch in the development of new products that address the concern of allergic reactions. 

The diverse findings may occur because social support needs differ as a function of the particular disease. However, given the sparse literature on support in chronic disease in children in general, and food allergy in particular, further research is needed to examine the relative importance of different sources and types of support on the adjustment of children. For example, in a recent qualitative study into children s, teens, and parents perceptions of living with food allergy (DunnGalvin et ah, 2009),... 

DunnGalvin, A., Du Bois, B., De Blok, B. M. J., and Hourihane, J. O. B. (2007). Child vs maternal perception of HRQoL in food allergy Developmental trajectories and evolution of risk behaviour. Allergy 62(Suppl. 83), 70-166. 

Causes are largely unclear complaints of food intolerances are often made, but clear evidence of specific and consistent adverse effects is hard to obtain (a distinction is drawn here from genuine dietary allergy which responds to avoidance of the offending item, for instance shellfish, and use of oral sodium cromoglicate). The basis of irritable bowel syndrome rests somewhere in the hinterland of perception of dysfunction, and otherwise normal but exaggerated physiological colonic responses. 

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