Introducing peanut-containing foods to infants can significantly reduce the risk of developing peanut allergies later in childhood. However, a recent study by Northwestern Medicine reveals that many parents, particularly those who are Black, Hispanic, lower-income, or have less formal education, are not receiving this guidance from their pediatricians and are introducing peanuts at much lower rates.
The study surveyed over 3,000 U.S. parents of children aged seven to 42 months in 2021. By the time their child turned one year old, 51% of white respondents had introduced peanut-containing foods compared to 42% of Black parents, 36% of Hispanic parents, and 35% of Asian American parents. The early introduction was more common among high-income and college-educated parents.
Only about half of Black and Hispanic parents reported receiving advice on when and how to introduce peanuts from their pediatrician, compared to nearly two-thirds of white parents. Furthermore, only 29% of Black parents believed that introducing peanuts before 12 months would help prevent allergies compared to 53% of white parents.
Dr. Christopher Warren from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine stated: “Our findings suggest that families from racial and ethnic minority groups and those with lower incomes are less likely to receive accurate, timely guidance from their primary care provider on how to introduce peanut during infancy.” He added: “It’s surprising how inequitable implementation of guidelines remains.”
Since 2017, national guidelines have recommended introducing peanut-containing foods around four to six months of age following a landmark clinical trial showing early introduction cuts allergy risk by over 80%. Peanut allergy affects an estimated 2% of U.S. children and is rising.
To address these disparities in early peanut introduction practices among different demographic groups, Dr. Warren emphasized the need for better tools and resources for primary care providers serving underserved communities. He suggested linguistically and culturally tailored handouts could boost parental confidence in safely introducing peanuts at home.
Warren also mentioned larger policy efforts like adding peanut products to WIC food packages could improve access for low-income families while Medicaid state programs might play a role in scaling education outreach as about 40% U.S infants are insured through Medicaid.
Other contributors include Drs Alanna Stinson Waheeda Samady Lucy Bilaver Sai Nimmagadda Ruchi Gupta all affiliated with Northwestern University This research titled Disparities Caregiver-reported Knowledge Attitudes Behaviors Guidance regarding Primary Prevention Peanut Allergy funded Food Allergy Research Education FARE AWD001529 published July Academic Pediatrics