Helping early teens manage food allergies
Evaluation of a Behavioral Intervention to Promote Food Allergy Self-Management Among Early Adolescents
This project teaches early adolescents with food allergies practical skills to avoid allergens and respond quickly if a reaction happens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11222687 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a program that teaches teens how to spot risky foods, plan ahead, carry and use epinephrine, and talk with peers and caregivers about allergies. The program focuses on building confidence and daily routines as kids shift more responsibility from parents to themselves. Researchers will track how well participants follow avoidance and emergency plans, measure anxiety and quality of life, and follow participants over time to see if the skills stick. The work is designed for early adolescence when peer pressure and developing decision-making make self-management especially important.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Early adolescents (around 10–14 years) with a diagnosed food allergy who are beginning to take responsibility for their own allergy management are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Very young children, adults, people without food allergies, or those unable to participate in behavioral programs or follow-up visits are unlikely to benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce accidental exposures and delays in treatment, and make teens feel safer and less anxious about their food allergies.
How similar studies have performed: Behavioral self-management programs have shown benefits in other chronic conditions, but evidence-based programs specifically for food allergy in early adolescence are largely new.
Where this research is happening
Washington, United States
- Children's Research Institute — Washington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herbert, Linda Jones — Children's Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Herbert, Linda Jones
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.