{"id":26159,"date":"2025-08-28T07:19:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T05:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carnisostenibili.it\/?p=26159"},"modified":"2025-08-29T10:52:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T08:52:56","slug":"allergies-country-children-are-healthier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carnisostenibili.it\/en\/allergies-country-children-are-healthier\/","title":{"rendered":"Allergies: Country children are healthier"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Children living in cities have a significantly higher incidence of allergies than those who grow up in the countryside, where they are often in close contact with animals.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A recent study<\/a> conducted in South Africa<\/strong> found that children living in cities<\/strong> have a significantly higher incidence of allergies<\/strong> than those raised in rural areas, where they are often in close contact with animals. The study analysed and compared the prevalence of allergic diseases<\/strong> and food sensitisation<\/strong> among children aged 12 to 36 months<\/strong> living in urban and rural areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study examined infant feeding<\/strong> practices and the nutritional status of children, highlighting the profound influence of environment and lifestyle on the development of allergies<\/strong>. Specifically, the researchers evaluated the relationship between breastfeeding, weaning methods, nutritional status, and the onset of atopic diseases<\/strong>, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and sensitisation to food and inhaled allergens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Differences between urban and rural areas in immune health and allergy risk<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study involved 1,185 children from urban areas and 398 from rural areas<\/strong>, providing insight into differences in immune health and allergy risk between the two environments<\/strong>. Surprisingly, the study revealed that allergies are significantly more prevalent in children living in cities<\/strong> than in those raised in rural areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, food allergies affected 2.5%<\/strong> of urban children, compared to just 0.5%<\/strong> of rural children. This significant disparity may be partly attributed to the less natural eating habits that are typical of urban settings<\/strong>, as well as to lower environmental exposure to microbes and animals<\/strong>. The most common food allergies in urban children<\/strong> were to raw eggs<\/strong> (1.9%), followed by cooked eggs<\/strong> (0.8%) and peanuts<\/strong> (0.8%). In rural children, however, all detected food allergies were exclusively related to eggs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


The importance of the environmental context in the early stages of life<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These data confirm the importance of environmental factors in early life<\/strong> and the potential protective effects of a simpler, more natural lifestyle. The study also found respiratory and skin allergies<\/strong>, such as asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis, to be significantly more common in children living in urban settings<\/strong>. Specifically, asthma was found in 9% of urban children compared to 1% of rural children<\/strong>. Eczema affected 25.6% of children in urban areas, compared to 2% in rural areas, while allergic rhinitis was present in 25.3% of urban cases, compared to 3.3% of rural cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the analysed children, 13.1% of those living in cities were found to be sensitised to aeroallergens<\/strong>, i.e. substances present in the air such as pollen, mites, or mould<\/strong>, compared to 3.8%<\/strong> of children living in rural areas<\/strong>. The difference was also clear about food allergies<\/strong>: 9% of urban children<\/strong> were sensitised to at least one food, compared to just 0.5% of rural children<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Why do city children have more allergies?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The authors propose several hypotheses to explain why allergies are more prevalent among children living in urban areas. One of the main explanations is lower exposure to animals<\/strong> during pregnancy and in the first months of life. Mothers living in urban environments are less likely to come into contact with pets or farm animals<\/strong>, which reduces the transmission of beneficial microbes<\/strong> to their children. Furthermore, children raised in rural areas tend to have more diverse <\/strong>gut microbiota<\/strong><\/a>, which could strengthen the immune system and offer natural protection against allergic diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rural children also experienced a longer period of exclusive breastfeeding,<\/strong> and the introduction of potentially allergenic foods occurred later compared to urban children. Although obesity rates<\/strong> were similar in both groups<\/strong>, signs of growth failure<\/strong>, known as stunting, were more prevalent in rural South African children<\/strong>, often due to nutritional deficiencies or challenging living conditions<\/strong>. Among urban children, excess weight was associated with a higher incidence of asthma, while children with allergies tended to be lighter<\/strong> than their peers without allergies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


The importance of growing up in rural settings<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results of this study strongly emphasise the importance of growing up in rural areas<\/strong>, where greater exposure to nature, animals<\/strong>, and a microbe<\/strong>-rich environment appears to protect children against developing allergies<\/strong>. Farming<\/strong> plays a crucial role not only in providing wholesome, nutritious food but also in creating an environment that fosters the healthy development of the immune system<\/strong> in both children and adults. This evidence highlights the importance of enhancing and preserving rural areas<\/strong>, which serve as both a food source<\/strong> and a public health asset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The growing depopulation of rural areas<\/strong> in favour of urban ones is a cause for concern, as abandoning these areas leads not only to the loss of agricultural biodiversity and traditional cultures but also could negatively impact the well-being and health of future generations<\/strong>. In an era of constantly increasing immunological and allergic diseases, rediscovering and protecting the connection between humans, land, and animals<\/strong> is more urgent than ever.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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