Did the percentage of children reporting food allergies rise significantly over the last decade?
Data from large US surveys indicate a clear increase in reported food allergies among children over the last decade. Between 2007 and 2018, the share of children aged 0 to 17 with a food or digestive allergy in the past 12 months grew from 4.0% to 6.5% 45. This rise represents a significant change in how common these conditions are reported to be in the US population.
What the research says
Two separate surveys covering the same 11-year period confirm the upward trend in food allergy prevalence for US children 45. The increase occurred across the entire age range of 0 to 17 years and included both food and digestive allergies 45.
While the US data shows a rise, other regions show different patterns. A 2022 study in Lebanon found a 6% self-reported prevalence in schoolchildren but noted that data in the Middle East is limited 6. A 2026 survey of US allergists found that the reported prevalence of pollen food allergy syndrome increased in children between 2003 and 2023 7. This suggests that awareness and reporting may also influence the numbers seen in surveys.
What to ask your doctor
- How has the prevalence of food allergies in my child's age group changed in recent years?
- What factors might explain the rise in reported food allergies over the last decade?
- Could changes in testing methods or reporting affect the statistics I see?
- What are the current best practices for screening for food allergies in children?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Allergy & Immunology and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.