Food allergy in the Saudi population
Trends, triggers, and strategies for care – a systematic review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22088149 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mohammed S Alshammari (Shaqra University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Publication date | 2026-06-30 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1849220 |
| OpenAlex | W7166689968 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 24 |
Food allergy is a common clinical problem in Saudi Arabia with multiple factors contributing to it including the changes in lifestyle, especially among the younger generation. This systematic review presents evidence regarding the epidemiology, etiology, and management of allergic diseases in the Kingdom. This systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Due to substantial heterogeneity in study design, diagnostic approaches, and outcome measures, findings were synthesized narratively according to evidence type and research focus., The review used 20 studies and regulatory documents obtained through a systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Saudi Digital Library. The food allergy in Saudi Arabia are similar to those in other countries with common allergens such as milk and eggs, but regional foods such as sesame and seafood are also responsible for allergic reactions. Elimination diets in children with food allergy may increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies. In Saudi Arabia, where vitamin D deficiency is already prevalent, careful nutritional monitoring is recommended. Despite the allergen labeling and awareness campaigns by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), food allergies remain a major problem in clinical practice. Several reports are available on the prevalence and awareness of food allergies, but the findings are dependent on self-reported data
Allergen · Allergy · Alternative medicine · Food allergy · MEDLINE · Milk allergy · Narrative review · Systematic review · Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling · Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research · Nutritional Studies and Diet
JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis
Evaluating teachers’ knowledge and attitude toward food allergy and anaphylaxis
The Effect of Food Allergen Exclusion on the Growth of Saudi Children
Perceptions of Parents on Management of Food Allergy in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Saudi Arabia
Diet and Food Allergy as Risk Factors for Asthma in the Arabian Gulf Region
| Highly cited | No |
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