Treasure Coast Sports Journal Spring 2014 Spring 2014 | Page 65

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The Facts on
Food Allergies:

Researchers estimate that
up to 15 million Americans
have food allergies.

This potentially deadly disease affects 1 in every 13 children (under
18 years of age) in the U.S. That’s
roughly two in every classroom.

According to a study released in 2013 by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food
allergies among children increased approximately
50% between 1997 and 2011.

Every 3 minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the
emergency department – that is more than 200,000 emergency
department visits per year.

A reaction to food can range from a mild response (such as an itchy
mouth) to anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially deadly reaction.

Teenagers and young adults with food allergies are at the highest risk of
fatal food-induced anaphylaxis.

People with food allergies who also have asthma may be at increased risk for
severe/fatal food allergy reactions.

Source: www.foodallergy.org

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