Food Allergies on a College Campus.

There are limited data on food allergies among college students. In this article we review the most current available studies. These self-reported surveys and qualitative interviews report overall poor avoidance of known allergens and low rates of carrying self-injectable epinephrine (SIE) among food-allergic students. College students may exhibit risk-taking food behaviors due to a number of factors, including age-appropriate risk-taking predilection, strong social influences, and lack of experience in self-advocacy. Having to disclose an otherwise invisible condition repeatedly in a new environment may also lead to "disclosure fatigue," creating an additional barrier to self-advocacy. Common themes in the narrative include hypervigilance, stigma management, and concern about others' misunderstanding of food allergy. While there is a paucity of data in this area, it is likely that having greater support at the institution level, along with support from peers and faculty, may help improve awareness, SIE carriage, and allergen avoidance. This review also discusses strategies for preparedness at school, including specific steps to maximize safety.