Study Reveals Our Intolerance Ignorance
While 91% say they know what coeliac is, two thirds of them don’t know the symptoms.
A new survey released 11 May, in time for Coeliac Awareness Week, has revealed the United Kingdom is still a nation that’s ignorant about intolerances despite over 1 in 5 of the UK thought to have a food allergy or intolerance.
The research, by Udi’s Gluten Free, has revealed that more than one in ten (11%) have now switched to a gluten-free diet. Indeed 29% of those aged 18-24 have cut gluten out of their diet.
Despite this, ignorance of coeliac disease is still widespread. Just 14% of young adults recognise the symptoms of gluten intolerance; with 9% thinking ‘coeliac’ is a famous Italian restaurant! However, as a nation, 91% claim to know what coeliac disease is, but of those, a muddled two-thirds don’t know what the symptoms are.
Confusion continues with more than 3 in 10 Brits believing that gluten is a type of carbohydrate found in potatoes, breads and pasta. Meanwhile, 1 in 10 do not realise pasta is not suitable for those with coeliac disease and the same have no idea beer can contain gluten.
Holly Wales, product development director at Udi’s Gluten Free comments; “Allergies and intolerances are on the rise and as a nation it seems we need to be more aware of such things.
“Our research also identified that just under a half (41%) of the UK feel sorry for those living a gluten-free diet. People who are coeliac or are leading a gluten-free life don’t want to be felt sorry for; they want to feel normal and eat free-from foods where they don’t have to compromise on taste.”
The study also revealed that other conditions, which baffle us, include irritable bowel syndrome, with 1 in 20 people thinking that IBS is a Silicone Valley computer company.
On average 50% of the UK population have suffered at least one of the main symptoms of coeliac disease, but 61% of those mistook the symptoms for IBS. 1 in 10 of us self-diagnose our symptoms, which can lead to serious problems.
Even so, only 2 in 10 sought help from their GP and the same amount didn’t think their symptoms were important enough to waste their GPs time.
The 11th to 17th May, marks Coeliac Awareness Week by Coeliac UK.
