Parents’ and caregivers’ experiences and behaviours when eating out with children with a food hypersensitivity

Abstract

BackgroundFor parents and caregivers of food hypersensitive (FH) children, accommodating their child’s dietary needs when eating out can be a challenging experience. This study explored caregivers’ experiences and behaviours when eating out with their FH child in order to gain insights into how they support and prepare their child in negotiating safe eating out experiences.MethodsA cross-sectional, qualitative design was used. In depth, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 15 caregivers of children with FH. Interviews were analysed using framework analysis.ResultsCaregivers reported a number of issues relating to eating out with their FH child, or allowing their child to eat out without their supervision. Through themes of ‘family context’, ‘child-focused concerns’, and ‘venue issues’, caregivers described how they managed these and explained the limitations and sacrifices that FH imposed on their child, themselves, and family members.ConclusionsThrough deeper understanding of the anxieties, negotiations and compromises experienced by caregivers of children with FH when they are eating out, clinicians and support charities can tailor their support to meet the needs of caregivers and children. Support and education provision should focus on providing caregivers of children with FH the tools and strategies to help enable safe eating out experiences.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4594-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Eating out with a food allergy in the UK: Change in the eating out practices of consumers with food allergy following introduction of allergen information legislation

“…As an inherently social experience, a number of pre legislation studies have reported the embarrassment and alienation experienced by customers with food allergy when eating outside the home, and these experiences led some consumers to take undue risks or limit their social activities as a result. 6,[13][14][15][16][17] The rise in awareness noted by participants suggested a degree of normalization of food allergy which was welcomed by many.…”

“…Implicit within these improvements was a perception of raised food allergy awareness on the part of eating out venues and their staff, particularly in relation to the importance of allergen avoidance for customers with food allergy. As an inherently social experience, a number of pre legislation studies have reported the embarrassment and alienation experienced by customers with food allergy when eating outside the home, and these experiences led some consumers to take undue risks or limit their social activities as a result . The rise in awareness noted by participants suggested a degree of normalization of food allergy which was welcomed by many.…”

Parents Experiences Raising a Child with Food Allergy; A Qualitative Review

“…Table 2 summarizes the study characteristics. Most of the studies were conducted in Europe (the UK, Finland, Sweden and Denmark) (Akeson et al, 2007;Alanne et al, 2014;Alanne, Laitinen, Söderlund, & Paavilainen, 2012;Begen et al, 2018;Gallagher et al, 2012;Gunnarsson & Hydén, 2009;Lagercrantz et al, 2017;MacKenzie et al, 2015;Pitchforth et al, 2011;Rouf et al, 2012;Stjerna et al, 2014;Valentine & Knibb, 2011), some from the Americas (the US, Canada and Brazil) (Abdurrahman et al, 2013;Broome et al, 2015;Franciosi et al, 2012;Gillespie et al, 2007;Gupta et al, 2008;Harrington et al, 2015;Vargas et al, 2011;Yonamine et al, 2013) and two studies were conducted in Australia and New Zealand (Crowley et al, 2012;McBride et al, 2010). Several studies had mixed study populations and included parents and children across different age groups, see Table 2.…”

“…The others described a deductive or inductive qualitative approach using a content or thematic analysis. The data program, NVivo, was used in the analysis of the data in some studies (Abdurrahman et al, 2013;Akeson et al, 2007;Begen et al, 2018;Crowley et al, 2012;Dean et al, 2016;Gallagher et al, 2012;Gupta et al, 2008;. The data were collected using individual interviews, focus group interviews and mixed methods such as interviews, diaries and photographs, see Table 2.…”

Perceptions of Food Hypersensitivity Expertise on Social Media: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

“…Living with food hypersensitivities involves constant risk assessments surrounding the foods one consumes. This is especially the case when eating outside the home [4,[6][7][8]. Those with food intolerance wish to avoid repeatable adverse reactions to foods such as bloating, constipation, vomiting and diarrhoea.…”