Food Allergies on the rise

Food Allergies on the Rise

General purpose: To inform and persuade audience about specific social problem or issue
Specific purpose: To inform the audience about the increasing prevalence of food allergies in children and to persuade them to accept the specific policy changes proposed.
Thesis Statement: Food Allergies are on the rise around the world, especially among children. This presents a major problem to families, schools, and hospitals when dealing with children who have food allergies, some of which can be life threatening.

I. Introduction:
a. Attention getter It’s not fun to live in fear of food. If you can’t tolerate certain foods, you probably dread the gastrointestinal distress they can cause. If you have a food allergy, the stakes are higher: a meal could end with a trip to the emergency room.
b. Thesis statement: Food allergies among children are on the rise around the world. This presents a major problem to families, school, and hospitals when dealing with children with food allergies, because some of these allergies are life threatening. Since this is such a serious problem, I am going to present several ideas for policy changes to help alleviate this crisis.
c. Relevance: Some people in this room may have severe food allergies, and certainly some of you have family members with food allergies. Also, food allergies on the rise among children means that some of our children may be dealing with this problem 10 years from now. Also, to those who don’t want kids, I’m sure you still agree that children are our future and need to be properly cared for.
d. Credibility statement: I have done many hours of research, and previously given a speech on this topic, so I believe I am a good source.

Now, let’s re-address the problem that I covered in my previous speech
II. The Problem: Food Allergies on the Rise
a. Food Allergies are immune system reactions that occur soon after eating a certain food. Even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food, known as an allergen, can trigger signs and systems such as digestive problems, hives, or swollen airways. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms or even a life threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
b. The main foods that cause allergic reactions include peanuts, fruit, other nuts, food dyes, and shellfish. These are responsible for 90% of all food allergies in children.
c. Basically, an allergy is an immune system’s overreaction to a normally harmless substance. And the severity of these reactions can be unpredictable
d. According to the CDC, the number of kids with food allergies has grown 18 percent in the last 10 years. The severity of reactions has also increased- hospitalizations are becoming more frequent. And 3 million children under the age of 18 have a food allergy in the US.
Ok, now for the causes of the increase in food allergies among children
III. Causes of the Problem
a. Hygiene Hypothesis- Children today growing up in a world that is to clean and are not being exposed to enough germs that can help to form healthy immune responses.
b. Exposure Hypothesis- Children are not being exposed to a variety of foods at a young age. This theory states that without exposure to common allergens at a young age children are more likely to develop an allergy to them.
c. Change in human diet- People are eating more processed foots that are in general unhealthy. This causes changes in our digestive systems that contribute to food allergies.
I have some ideas for policy changes that may help to alleviate this epidemic among children.
IV. Policy Solution for the Problem
a. Exposure to foods at an early age- Children need to be fed and exposed to foods at an appropriate age so their immune systems can develop appropriate responses. I recommend encouraging parents to feed their children diverse foods and common allergens through education programs. Doctors should make this common knowledge to parents as well. One study showed that children that were not exposed to peanuts at a young age were 10x more likely to have a peanut allergy. So this is important. (US News)
b. Not be as “germ conscious”: We need to not be so germaphobic. Kids need to live in a clean environment but to clean is just as bad if not worse than too dirty. Hand sanitizer use among children and infants should be discouraged through education programs. (US News)
c. Healthier diets, especially while pregnant: Healthy diets for children and pregnant mothers that are low in processed foods are necessary. We need to educate people about healthy habits, especially during pregnancy. Breastfeeding should also be encouraged because it helps child’s immune system.(AAAP)

V. Conclusion
a. Restate thesis: So as you guys can see, the increasing prevalence of food allergies among all people is a terrible problem for our society. Some food allergies are extremely dangerous and may result in serious harm or even death to the people who have them. Policy measures need to be put in place to educate people about this problem
b. Summarize points: Food allergies are an immune system’s overreaction to a normally harmless substance and they are definitely increasing in children today. My three proposals I believe will help to bring this societal problem under control if they are implemented.
c. Call to Action: Children are our future and the increase of severe, life-threatening food allergies among kids needs to be addressed immediately so that it does not get out of control and cause further hurt to our society. Thank you.