Analysis of dietary characteristics and food allergy of preschool children in Shanghai

• Published in: Zhongguo shipin weisheng zazhi Vol. 35; no. 3; pp. 403 - 410
• Main Authors: WEI Lan, CHEN Tianyi, CHEN Zhuoru, TANG Hao, ZHAO Zhuohui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: The Editorial Office of Chinese Journal of Food Hygiene 01.03.2023
• Subjects: feeding behavior; food allergy; nutrients; preschool children
• ISSN: 1004-8456
• DOI: 10.13590/j.cjfh.2023.03.013

ObjectiveTo provide data basis for nutrition evaluation and improving measures for preschool children with food allergy， the current situation of food allergy， the eating habits and dietary characteristics of preschool children in Shanghai were analyzed.MethodsA total of 5 215 preschool children aged 3-6 years old were selected by stratified cluster sampling， covering 15 kindergartens in 6 districts of Shanghai （Hongkou， Jing’an， Xuhui， Minhang， Jiading and Chongming District）. The demographic characteristics， feeding environment， food allergy and food habits was collected from children’s parents by electronic questionnaires.ResultsThe self-reported food allergy in preschool children accounted for 16.8%. The highest proportion of allergenic food was aquatic products （including fish， shrimp and seafood etc.） （7.2%）， followed by eggs （5.3%）， milk or dairy products （4.2%）， fruits （2.4%）， nuts （2.1%）， beans （0.5%）， meat （0.5%）， flour （0.4%） and vegetables （0.4%）. Among the children with food allergy， 61.8% were a