An exploratory investigation of food choice behavior of teenagers with and without food allergies
An exploratory investigation of food choice behavior of teenagers with and without food allergies
Background - Understanding food choice behavior in adolescence is important because many core eating habits may be tracked into adulthood. The food choices of at least 2.3% of teenagers living in the United Kingdom are determined by food allergies. However, the effect of food allergies on eating habits in teenagers has not yet been studied.Objective - To provide an understanding of how teenagers with food allergies make food choice decisions and how these differ from those of non–food-allergic teenagers.Methods - One focus group discussion with non–food-allergic teenagers (n = 11) and 14 semistructured interviewers (7 with food-allergic and 7 with non–food-allergic teenagers) were performed (age range, 12-18 years). The focus group discussion and interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis.Results - Teenagers from both groups (food-allergic and non–food-allergic) named sensory characteristics of foods as the main reason for choosing them. Some food-allergic teenagers downplayed their allergy and frequently engaged in risk-taking behavior in terms of their food choices. However, they reported difficulties in trying new foods, especially when away from home. Parental control was experienced as protective by those with food allergies, whereas non–food-allergic teenagers felt the opposite. Most teenagers, including food-allergic ones, expressed the wish to eat similar foods to their friends. Other themes did not vary between the 2 groups.Conclusion - Food-allergic teenagers strive to be able to make similar food choices to their friends, although differences to non–food-allergic teenagers exist. It is important to address these differences to improve their dietary management.
446-452
Sommer, Isolde
294ff49b-397a-4e2f-938d-6b25896d48b4
MacKenzie, Heather
e1e524b1-b525-4da4-a7d3-d0bb359f4680
Venter, Carina
a9b7dd5e-b0cb-4068-be82-e15b587cc20b
Dean, Taraneh
b8719b02-a375-457f-aa33-74f9352613e6
May 2014
Sommer, Isolde
294ff49b-397a-4e2f-938d-6b25896d48b4
MacKenzie, Heather
e1e524b1-b525-4da4-a7d3-d0bb359f4680
Venter, Carina
a9b7dd5e-b0cb-4068-be82-e15b587cc20b
Dean, Taraneh
b8719b02-a375-457f-aa33-74f9352613e6
Sommer, Isolde, MacKenzie, Heather, Venter, Carina and Dean, Taraneh
(2014)
An exploratory investigation of food choice behavior of teenagers with and without food allergies.
Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 112 (5), .
(doi:10.1016/j.anai.2014.02.009).
Abstract
Background - Understanding food choice behavior in adolescence is important because many core eating habits may be tracked into adulthood. The food choices of at least 2.3% of teenagers living in the United Kingdom are determined by food allergies. However, the effect of food allergies on eating habits in teenagers has not yet been studied.Objective - To provide an understanding of how teenagers with food allergies make food choice decisions and how these differ from those of non–food-allergic teenagers.Methods - One focus group discussion with non–food-allergic teenagers (n = 11) and 14 semistructured interviewers (7 with food-allergic and 7 with non–food-allergic teenagers) were performed (age range, 12-18 years). The focus group discussion and interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis.Results - Teenagers from both groups (food-allergic and non–food-allergic) named sensory characteristics of foods as the main reason for choosing them. Some food-allergic teenagers downplayed their allergy and frequently engaged in risk-taking behavior in terms of their food choices. However, they reported difficulties in trying new foods, especially when away from home. Parental control was experienced as protective by those with food allergies, whereas non–food-allergic teenagers felt the opposite. Most teenagers, including food-allergic ones, expressed the wish to eat similar foods to their friends. Other themes did not vary between the 2 groups.Conclusion - Food-allergic teenagers strive to be able to make similar food choices to their friends, although differences to non–food-allergic teenagers exist. It is important to address these differences to improve their dietary management.
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 20 February 2014
e-pub ahead of print date: 19 March 2014
Published date: May 2014
Additional Information:
“NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in 'Annals of allergy and asthma'. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in 'Annals of allergy and asthma', VOL 112, ISSUE 5, May 2014, DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2014.02.009¨
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Local EPrints ID: 437938
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/437938
ISSN: 1081-1206
PURE UUID: 2d9b6a1d-fb6b-45d6-89b1-45aab51dca40
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Date deposited: 24 Feb 2020 17:31
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 03:59
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Author:
Isolde Sommer
Author:
Heather MacKenzie
Author:
Carina Venter
Author:
Taraneh Dean
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