Information for teenagers with food allergy

Monday 31 October 2005

The Agency commissioned qualitative research to establish the information needs of teenagers and young people with food allergies and intolerance, and to explore how best these needs can be met and how better to communicate with children and young people.

Stage I of the research involved group discussions and in-depth interviews. Fifteen in-depth interviews were carried out with teenagers and young people with food sensitivities. Twelve interviews were carried out with parents and children with food sensitivities.

Five mini-groups were conducted with young people with food sensitivities, and five group discussions were conducted with parents of food-sensitive teenagers.

Stage II of the research comprised an interactive workshop, involving young people with food sensitivities, parents, representatives from the Food Standards Agency and the Central Office of Information, and professionals involved in the field of food sensitivity.

The research was published in August 2005.