Food allergies and bullying

DETROIT — Haejin Kim grew up with a peanut allergy and is now raising a son with one too.

Kim, an allergist  at the Henry Ford Health System, worries about her son's health but said he also faces something she never did growing up - being bullied because of the food allergy.
"That's my biggest fear as a mom is that he would be one of those kids that is bullied and that is just terrible," Kim said. "I worry about that but hopefully with more education, the more people understand it. The more they'll realize that it's not a joke.  It's real and it can really affect you."

FARE, which stands for Food Allergy Research and Education has an "It's Not a Joke" campaign to raise awareness about food allergy bullying and help stop it.

The campaign includes a public service announcement in which child-actors were used to showcase the feelings and stories of children who have experienced food allergy bullying.  FARE says that bullying can include threats with food.

Food allergies affect 15 million Americans, about one in 13 children, or roughly two in every classroom.

Dr. Matthew Greenhawt of the University of Michigan’s Food Allergy Center and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital also hears about food allergy bullying.

"No child should be made fun of because of a medical diagnosis," says Greenhawt. "Nationally we know that up to a third of kids have reported bullying in certain circumstances in school, it's unfortunate."

Greenhawt is board certified in pediatrics, allergy and immunology.  He also serves as an assistant professor in the division of Allergy and Immunology at the University of Michigan Health System.

"I think more kids know somebody who has a food allergy, I think most families know somebody who is affected by food allergy that's already showing you how common that is amongst the population," Greenhawt said. "Bullying will improve with more education, more understanding, more empathy and I think that's what we need to focus on."