ObjectiveThe prevalence of food allergy (FA) has been increasing in recent years and has become an important public health, food safety, and clinical nutrition problem. However, population-based studies on the prevalence of FA are very limited in China. This study aims to determine the prevalence and pattern of parent-reported FA among school children in Jiangxi Province, China.MethodsA multicenter cross-sectional study on FA was conducted on primary school children aged 6-11 years old using random cluster sampling with a questionnaire survey. Parent-reported FA was used and defined as individual-reported FA by parent or guardian through a questionnaire in this study.ResultAmong the total of 8,856 (96.36%) complete questionnaires received, 727 (8.2%) children had adverse reactions to food (ARF). The prevalence rates of parent-reported FA and doctor-diagnosed FA were 6.2% and 3.3%, respectively. Animal-derived foods were the main causative source of FA, and the three leading allergenic foods were shrimp, mango, and mollusks. Skin reactions were the most common clinical manifestations of FA, accounting for 63.7%, and 45.32% of the subjects with parent-reported FA experienced severe allergic reactions. There was a significant difference in parent-reported FA between different survey centers, and FA risk increased significantly in children with other allergic diseases (P<0.001) and small family size (P=0.026). The FA prevalence was significantly higher among children aged 8-11 years than those aged 6-7 years (P=0.020).ConclusionsA high prevalence of parent-reported FA was observed among children in general primary schools in Jiangxi Province, China. Shrimp, mango, and mollusks were the most common causative foods. The main common symptoms of FA were adverse reactions relating to the skin system. The rate of severe allergic reactions was also high in Jiangxi Children with reported FA. Local standards and policies for the prevention and management of FA need to be adjusted on a timely basis according to actual local conditions.

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and influencing factors of food allergy (FA) in different regions and populations. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The studies from January 2011 to December 2021 were searched through PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. The prevalence of FA was evaluated by calculating the pooled effect estimates and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The odds ratio (OR) value was used to investigate the influencing factors of FA. Heterogeneity analysis among studies was performed using <i>I</i>² analysis. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the stability of the results, and Begg’s test was used to assess publication bias. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 105 published articles, including 3,318,608 participants, were involved in this study. The result indicated that the overall FA prevalence was 4.3% (95% CI: 0.038–0.047). The prevalence of FA was 4.2% in Asia (95% CI: 0.033–0.051), 3.2% in America (95% CI: 0.024–0.041), 4.8% in Europe (95% CI: 0.037–0.060), 1.6% in Africa (95% CI: 0.008–0.026), and 7.5% in Oceania (95% CI: 0.052–0.102). Milk (prevalence: 1.1%, 95% CI: 0.009–0.013) and egg (prevalence: 1.1%, 95% CI: 0.008–0.014) were the most common type of FAs. Male (OR: 1.289, 95% CI: 1.001–1.659), antibiotics exposure during pregnancy (OR: 1.221, 95% CI: 1.162–1.284), breastfeeding (OR: 1.349, 95% CI: 1.011–1.799), asthma (OR: 1.794, 95% CI: 1.443–2.230), eczema (OR: 5.121, 95% CI: 3.575–7.334), family history of atopic disease (OR: 1.893, 95% CI: 1.313–2.730), family history of FAs (OR: 2.096, 95% CI: 1.686–2.594), family history of atopic dermatitis (OR: 1.954, 95% CI: 1.645–2.322), family history of asthma (OR: 1.516, 95% CI: 1.370–1.678), and family history of allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis (OR: 1.287, 95% CI: 1.191–1.392) increased the risk of FA. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> There were geographical differences in the prevalence of FA. Identification and nursing of FA high-risk populations should be strengthened to improve the quality of life.

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