Journal List > Korean J Community Nutr > v.22(4) > 1038590

Kim and Kim: Food Allergy Awareness and Nutritional Management by Preschooler's Faculty Members of Child Care Facilities

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness and nutritional management of food allergy (FA) by preschooler's faculty members in child care centers.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted among faculty members of child care centers in Seoul. The questionnaire was designed to identify the prevalence of food allergies, requirements of food allergy support and differences in food management depending on the presence of allergic diseases. After excluding incomplete responses, the data of 171 faculties in 137 child care centers (95.0%) were used for statistical analysis.

Results

According to the 137 collected questionnaires, 96 child care centers asked parents about their children's allergic disease and 151 children from 66 child care centers had food allergies. A reported 89 children from 43 child care centers had food restrictions. However, 9 child care centers (21.0%) were not aware of food restriction for children with food allergies. Only 6 child care centers (14.0%) supplied substitute foods with the same amount and type of nutrients. Forty eight faculties (28.1%) received training about food allergies. Although there were some differences according to institution type, most of the faculty members wanted food allergy-related support.

Conclusions

This study identified a lack of food allergy training for faculty members in child care centers. For proper management, it is necessary for faculty members of child care centers to be educated on overall food allergies. Food allergy-related support such as menus without allergenic ingredients, guidelines on emergency care for food allergies and anaphylaxis should be provided for faculty members in child care centers.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

Meal management for preschooler with food allergy in child care facilities

kjcn-22-298-g001
Table 1

General characteristic of child care facilities and their food allergy management

kjcn-22-298-i001

1) N (%)

*: p < 0.05 by Chi-square test

Table 2

Food allergy management by child care facilities

kjcn-22-298-i002

1) N (%)

2) Only corresponded ‘Yes’ or ‘No (from parents)’

*: p < 0.05 by Chi-square test

Table 3

Food allergens in preschoolers reported by parents and child care facilitiess

kjcn-22-298-i003

Data are multiple responses

1) Self-reported by preschooler's parents

2) Reported by child care facilities on food allergens showing allergy symptoms whin last 12 months

3) N (%)

Table 4

Symptoms of food allergy in preschoolers reported by parents and child care facilities

kjcn-22-298-i004

Data are multiple responses

1) Self-reported by preschooler's parents

2) Reported by child care facilities on food allergens showing allergy symptoms whin last 12 months

3) N (%)

Table 5

Care and management of food allergies by child care facilities

kjcn-22-298-i005

1) N (%)

2) Data are multiple responses

*: p < 0.05 by Fisher's exact test since cells have expected frequency less than 5

Table 6

Needs for subject-specific education on food allergy of child care facilities

kjcn-22-298-i006

1) N (%)

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ORCID iDs

Jung Hee Kim
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5435-6166

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