Korean J Community Nutr.  2017 Aug;22(4):298-306. 10.5720/kjcn.2017.22.4.298.

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

• Kim SB
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2389566
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2017.22.4.298

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.

Keyword

food allergy; preschooler; nutritional management; child care facilities

MeSH Terms

Anaphylaxis
Child
Child Care*
Child*
Emergency Medical Services
Food Hypersensitivity*
Humans
Parents
Prevalence
Seoul

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Meal management for preschooler with food allergy in child care facilities

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