Obesity and Food Allergies Linked
We may have another piece to the puzzle about why we’re experiencing an increase in the prevalence of allergies. In Recent Studies Link Obesity to Food Allergies, Medical News Today reports on a study that "suggests rising childhood obesity may be promoting the increased occurrence of food allergies which rose by 18 percent from 1997-2007."
According to First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" Campaign, 32 percent of children or teens – an estimated 25 million – are obese or overweight. The allergy study, which was published in the May 2009 Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, linked obesity with a greater likelihood of developing atopic disease, including eczema. In addition, researchers discovered a 59 percent increase in food sensitization. Researchers stated, "The analysis of continuous Body Mass Index (BMI) with total IgE levels supports the concept that increased weight is associated with increased allergic predisposition."
Founder and CEO of Immuno Laboratories Jeffrey Zavik adds, "The statistics are startling. Testing for food allergies and following a nutritional program based on the diagnostic results could help parents make healthier family choices which is one of the goals of the Let's Move Campaign."
Interestingly, it’s not necessarily being obese that causes food sensitization; rather, as Dr. Mona Morstein, Chair of Nutrition at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Professor for Gastroenterology at the College, Clinical Supervisor of its outpatient clinic, discusses in her recent article, Obesity Rising to Epic Proportions; Could Food Allergies be Causing Your Weight Problem?", how food allergies could be contributing to obesity. The causal relationship – which is causing which – is not yet clear.
According to First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" Campaign, 32 percent of children or teens – an estimated 25 million – are obese or overweight. The allergy study, which was published in the May 2009 Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, linked obesity with a greater likelihood of developing atopic disease, including eczema. In addition, researchers discovered a 59 percent increase in food sensitization. Researchers stated, "The analysis of continuous Body Mass Index (BMI) with total IgE levels supports the concept that increased weight is associated with increased allergic predisposition."
Founder and CEO of Immuno Laboratories Jeffrey Zavik adds, "The statistics are startling. Testing for food allergies and following a nutritional program based on the diagnostic results could help parents make healthier family choices which is one of the goals of the Let's Move Campaign."
Interestingly, it’s not necessarily being obese that causes food sensitization; rather, as Dr. Mona Morstein, Chair of Nutrition at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Professor for Gastroenterology at the College, Clinical Supervisor of its outpatient clinic, discusses in her recent article, Obesity Rising to Epic Proportions; Could Food Allergies be Causing Your Weight Problem?", how food allergies could be contributing to obesity. The causal relationship – which is causing which – is not yet clear.
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