Emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents and young adults with food allergy

M A Ferro, R J Van Lieshout, J Ohayon, J G Scott

Adolescents with food allergy have poorer psychosocial outcomes compared to their non-allergic counterparts; however, few studies have prospectively examined the mental health of adolescents and young adults in this vulnerable population. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems in an epidemiological sample of adolescents and young adults with food allergy; determine if food allergy is associated with adolescent and maternal reports of such problems; and, examine patterns of change in emotional and behavioral problems from adolescence to young adulthood among individuals with and without food allergy. Data come from 1303 participants at the 14 and 21-years of age in the Mater University Study of Pregnancy. Emotional and behavioral problems were measured using self and maternally-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant, and conduct disorder RESULTS: Maternal, but not self-reports suggested that emotional and behavioral problems were higher among adolescents with food allergy. Food allergy was associated with increased odds of elevated levels of maternal-reported symptoms of depression [OR=4.50 (1.83, 11.07)], anxiety [OR=2.68 (1.12, 6.44)], and ADHD [OR=3.14 (1.07, 9.19)] in adolescence. Food allergy was also associated with depressive symptoms that persisted from adolescence to young adulthood [OR=2.05 (1.04, 4.03)]. Emotional and behavioral problems, particularly symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ADHD are common among adolescents with food allergy in the general population, and in the case of elevated levels of depressive symptoms, persist into young adulthood. Health professionals should seek adolescent and parental perspectives when assessing emotional and behavioral problems and monitor mental health during the transition to adulthood. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.