SCHOOL PREPAREDNESS FOR STUDENTS WITH SEVERE

FOOD ALLERGIES

SCHOOL PREPAREDNESS FOR STUDENTS WITH SEVERE FOOD ALLERGIES

Nuts, Dairy, Gluten, Soy… any commonality?

Yes! All are allergens! Allergy or Intolerance?

Symptoms are common for both.

6 - 8% of elementary students are affected

18% Increase in past decade in cases

Due to the rise of food allergies – severe or otherwise – in young children, it is imperative

that elementary schools protect their students’ health.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW…

Food allergies are more prevalent in children

They are sometimes “outgrown”

4 out of every 100 children has a food allergy

Increased risk for developing other allergies

Children with coexisting allergies are more prone to anaphylaxis and death

3.9% of children under 17 affected

THIS MEANS THAT…

0-5 Years

5-18 Years

0 1 2 3 4 5

Allergies (after 2000)Allergies (Be-fore 2000)

TELL ME MORE…

No significant difference between genders

More likely to affect non-Hispanic children

84% of food reactions happen in schools

Most schools do not use the current Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network’s (FAAN) Food Allergy Action Plan

WHAT IS FAAN?

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network’s Food Allergy Action Plan, or FAAN, is a

government supported guideline for food allergy safety.

This includes (and is not limited to) :

Schools be knowledgeable about current state and district policy and law

Include students with food allergies in school activities

Inform staff of the nature of the allergy

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THEM?

According to recent studies:

Rise in food allergy related bullying at schools

34% of parents say school attendance has been affected by the allergy

25% of first time reactions occur in schools

RESEARCH PURPOSE

The goal of this research is to understand what makes a school’s food allergy preparation plan

successful in ensuring student safety.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is important because…

For parents, to provide them with an insight into school safetymeasures to assure their child is not exposed to allergens;

For schools, to raise awareness of practices and policies for the treatment of students with food allergies.

CONCLUSION

What we found:

Food allergies are on the rise in young children

Schools are underprepared to handle emergency reactions and overall safety of students

Food safety is a major concern in schools

Most schools do not enact the FAAN recommended plan

More needs to be done to educate parents, teachers, staff and students

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Aleccia, J. (2010, September 28). Peanut menace? bullies use food to torment allergic kids. Retrieved from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39389689/ns/health-allergies_and_asthma/

Branum, A.M., & Lukacs, S.L. (2008). Food allergy among u.s. children: trends in prevalence and hospitalizations. NCHS Data Brief, (10), Retrieved from http://www.sflorg.com/comm_center/medical/pdf/637_48_01.pdf

Gelfand, J.L. (2009). Is it a food allergy or intolerance?. Retrieved from http:// www.webmd.com/allergies/foods-allergy-intolerance

Lowry, F. (2010, September 29). Kids with food allergies often harassed and bullied. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/729624

BIBLIOGRAPHY, CONT.

Powers, J., Bergren, M.D., & Finnegan, L. (2007). Comparison of school food allergy emergency plans to the food allergy and anaphylaxis network’s standard plan. he Journal of School Nursing , 23(5), Retrieved from http://nsca.allenpress.com/ content/23/5/252.abstract doi: 10.1177/10598405070230050301

School guidelines for managing students with food allergies. (2009, November 10). Retrieved from http://www.foodallergy.org/page/food-allergy--anaphylaxis-network-guidelines

The facts about the increase of allergic disease in children. (2008, July). Retrieved from http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=118&title=the_rise_in_childhood_food_allergies