Food Sensitive Study: Wave Two Survey

Food hypersensitivities (FH) include food allergy, food intolerance and coeliac disease. Food allergy and coeliac disease involve an immune mediated reaction to certain foods; food intolerance is caused by a non-immune mediated reaction (such as an enzymatic or pharmacological effect). Each of these FHs result in unpleasant symptoms if the food is eaten in sufficient quantity, with food allergic reactions sometimes resulting in life-threatening symptoms. Management of FH by an individual or members of their family therefore involves constant vigilance and risk assessment to determine if a food is safe to eat. Research over the last twenty years has demonstrated that this burden, along with the unpredictable nature of FH reactions, has an impact on quality of life (QoL). QoL encompasses our emotions, physical health, the environment we live in, our social networks and day-to-day activities. FH has been shown to have an impact on many of these areas, however there are still research gaps. In particular, many studies focus on children, adolescents or parents rather than the adult population and little is known about those with food intolerances. In order to make a comprehensive characterisation and evaluation of the burden caused by living with FH, the day-to-day management of FH and associated inconveniences, the FSA has commissioned this project, led by Aston University. The project is called the FoodSensitive study and this report relates to findings for workstream one, a survey to assess the impact of FH on QoL. This survey was carried out in two waves, one year apart. This report covers the second wave and a comparison of wave one and two for those participants who completed both waves.