ABSTRACT
Introduction
Food allergy (FA) is a growing public health concern, particularly in early childhood. This study estimated the prevalence of FA in Brazilian children under 5 years of age (< 5 y) and described its distribution by sociodemographic, health, and nutrition factors.
Methods
Data from 14,558 children < 5 y studied by the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019), a population-based household survey, were analyzed. FA was assessed based on the medical diagnosis of any FA and specific allergens reported by the mother/caregiver. Sociodemographic, health, and nutrition data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of FA were estimated using descriptive analysis, and the prevalence ratio (PR) was estimated using adjusted Poisson regression models.
Results
The prevalence of any FA was 4.6% (4.0–5.3) and was higher in the Southeast [RP = 1.75 (1.16–2.63)], South [RP = 1.91 (1.16–3.13)] and Midwest [RP = 1.88 (1.21–2.91)] compared to the Northeast, and among children aged 24–59 months [RP = 2.25 (1.56–3.25)] compared to 0–23 months. Milk FA was the most frequent (2.1%), followed by egg FA (0.6%). Higher prevalence of FA was observed among children using private healthcare services [any: RP = 1.54 (1.04–2.29); milk: RP = 3.02 (1.85–4.91); egg: RP = 3.58 (1.10–11.59)] and among those born by planned/elective C-section [any: RP = 1.45 (1.01–2.08); milk: 1.96 (1.24–3.08)]. Children with FA consumed more ultra-processed foods [92.8% (89.8–95.7)] than those without FA [84.9% (83.8–86.1)].
Conclusion
This study provides national estimates of FA prevalence and highlights regional and sociodemographic disparities among Brazilian children < 5 y.
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 39, Issue 4, August 2026. Read More