How do young people deal with the burdens of Celiac disease? How do the experiences of 10-19 year old’s differ from children and adults? In this article, the authors explore just that and also raise important questions along the way.
Check out the abstract below, and then click through to the main article to learn more:
Coeliac disease [celiac disease] and the gluten-free diet: a review of the burdens; factors associated with adherence and impact on health-related quality of life, with specific focus on adolescence
Peer-reviewed research by: Lois E. White, Elain Bannerman and Peter M. Gillett
Adherence and non-adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) may impact negatively on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Understanding the factors that influence compliance could help inform management and also guide support. With a particular focus on adolescence, this narrative review critiques current literature on the burdens associated with following a GFD and the factors associated with adherence. Studies highlight a variety of burdens faced by individuals with coeliac disease, including the cost, access and availability of gluten-free (GF) foods, as well as the dilemmas experienced when eating out, travelling and socialising with friends. A number of studies report that adolescents face stigmatisation and feel isolated in social situations and at school. Additional burdens that are highlighted are a lack of knowledge regarding CD and GFD difficulties in interpreting food labels, as well as dissatisfaction with the organoleptic properties of GF foods. Factors associated with poor adherence in adolescence include older age, an absence of immediate symptoms, difficulties eating out and poor palatability of GF foods. Conversely, better emotional support and stronger organisation skills have been associated with superior adherence. Significant associations have been reported between HRQoL measures and adherence, although the findings are inconsistent. Limitations in research methodologies exist and data are restricted to just a few countries. Further research specific to adolescence is required to identify independent predictors of adherence.
Click here to read the full open-access article, published in 2016 in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
Full Reference //
White, L. E., Bannerman, E., & Gillett, P. M. (2016). Coeliac disease and the gluten-free diet: a review of the burdens; factors associated with adherence and impact on health-related quality of life, with specific focus on adolescence. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 29(5), 593-606.
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
Knowledge Stitch amplifies open-access peer-reviewed academic research. If you have research you would like readers to check out, click here to suggest your work.Tags (key words): adolescence, attitudes, behaviour, coeliac disease, celiac disease, quality of life, youth, young adults, Lois E. White, Elain Bannerman, Peter M. Gillett, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics,