FAAN To Discuss Risk-Taking And Coping Strategies Of Teens With Food Allergies At The AAAAI Annual Conference

Main Category: Allergy
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 03 Mar 2006 - 2:00 PDT

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The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) will reveal findings of a study that could give significant insight on what may cause teens to be a high risk group for fatal allergic reactions to food. These findings will be presented on Monday, March 6, at the American Academy for Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Conference in Miami, Fla. A press conference will be held at 11:00am at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Room B117.

Entitled "Risk-taking and Coping Strategies of Food Allergic Adolescents and Young Adults," the study was conducted by Margaret Sampson and Dr. Scott Sicherer of the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and FAAN CEO and Founder Anne Munoz-Furlong.

The study findings demonstrate that a significant number of food-allergic teenagers admit to taking potentially life-threatening risks with their allergies particularly when the teens are out with friends. 174 subjects were surveyed via a Web-based questionnaire. While 74 percent reported always carrying their epinephrine, it also depended on what activities they were involved in. Almost all participants carry their epinephrine while traveling, but the number dropped significantly when participating in sports activities, school dance, or when they wear tight clothes. Until there is a cure for food allergies, epinephrine is the only medication that can save lives during an anaphylactic episode.

The study findings also demonstrate that not all of the participants read food labels -- another important practice for people who have to live with food allergies. While 75 percent of them always read labels, 42 percent of the teens would eat food that "may contain" a food allergen.

"Teenagers who suffer from food-allergies are the highest risk group for having fatal, food-induced anaphylactic reactions," said Munoz-Furlong. "This study confirms that they face unique social pressures that make it difficult for them to make consistent safe decisions. It is crucial that we help teenagers develop the tools they need to live safely with food allergies."

This year FAAN has formed a Teen Advisory Group (TAG) consisting of 20 adolescents and young adults from around the country. TAG members will help FAAN develop programs, messages and an overall teen outreach campaign. For more information on FAAN's programs for teens, please visit http://www.fanteen.org.

ABOUT FAAN

Founded in 1991, The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is the world leader in food allergy information. FAAN, a nonprofit organization based in Fairfax, VA, is dedicated to increasing public awareness about food allergy and anaphylaxis, to providing education, and to advancing research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies. The organization has just under 30,000 members in the United States, Canada, and 62 other countries.

FAAN provides information about food allergy and educational resources to patients, their families, schools, health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the food industry, and government officials. Educational materials published by FAAN are reviewed for medical accuracy by the FAAN Medical Advisory Board, which is comprised of 11 of the country's leaders in food allergy science and medicine. In addition to printed materials, FAAN also sponsors awareness programs such as Food Allergy Awareness Week, Food Allergy Conferences, and the Mariel C. Furlong Awards for Making a Difference as well as fundraising walks across the country. Educational materials and information about special programs are also available online at http://www.foodallergy.org, http://www.fankids.org, and http://www.fanteen.org.

Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
http://www.foodallergy.org
http://www.fankids.org

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