Increased Risk of Suicide Attempts Among Adolescents With Food Allergy in the United States

Abstract

Objective

Food allergy (FA) is a growing public health concern that has been associated with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, shorter sleep duration, and being bullied—all linked to suicide risk. Given the limited prior research, this study aimed to examine the association between FA and suicidal behavior.

Method

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2015-2019) were analyzed. This nationally representative sample included 22,017 adolescents 14 to 18 years old. To assess the association between FA and medically serious suicide attempts, several multivariate logistic regressions were conducted adjusting for effects of sadness/hopelessness, suicidal ideation, shorter sleep duration, being bullied, physical activity, and other covariates. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore the association between FA and all suicide attempts, including attempts not requiring medical attention.

Results

Among the participants, 15.6% (n = 3,435) reported FA, and 2.3% (n = 501) reported serious suicide attempts. Within the serious suicide attempt group, 31.9% (n = 160) reported FA compared with 15.2% (n = 3,275) among participants who did not report serious suicide attempts. Multivariate analyses revealed that adolescents with FA had higher odds of reporting suicide attempts requiring medical intervention (adjusted odds ratio 1.63, 95% CI 1.23-2.16). In the sensitivity analysis, FA continued to show significance when broadening the outcome to include all suicide attempts, regardless of whether medical attention was required (adjusted odds ratio 1.35, 95% CI 1.09-1.68).

Conclusion

Health care practitioners caring for adolescents with FA should be cognizant of their increased susceptibility for suicidal behavior.

Plain language summary

Adolescents with food allergies have a higher risk of serious suicide attempts. The study found that those with food allergies were 63% more likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers without food allergies. Clinicians should consider mental health risks in adolescents with food allergies and offer appropriate support.