The Hidden Burden of Food Hypersensitivity: Exploring Perceived Stress and Fatigue Symptoms in Children with Food Allergies and Intolerances

Introduction: Food allergies and intolerances represent a growing pediatric health concern. While stress-related outcomes have received increasing attention, fatigue symptoms in children with food hypersensitivity remain insufficiently characterized. The aim of the study was to evaluate perceived stress and fatigue in children with food hypersensitivity. Material and Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study including 339 children aged 1–18 years with specialist-confirmed food allergy, food intolerance, or mixed pathology. Data were collected through structured parent-reported interviews incorporating the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). Results: Children with food allergy had significantly higher perceived stress and fatigue scores compared to those with food intolerance (p < 0.05), with the highest levels observed in the mixed pathology group. Both perceived stress and fatigue scores increased with age, with adolescents showing the highest values. A moderate positive correlation was identified between stress and fatigue (r = 0.49, p < 0.0001). In multivariable analyses, higher stress and fatigue scores were significantly associated with age and diagnostic category, including mixed pathology, after adjustment for sex and anthropometric indicators. Higher scores were also associated with the presence of multiple clinical symptoms, such as sleep disturbances and concentration difficulties. Conclusions: Food hypersensitivity in children is associated with a significant psychological burden characterized by elevated perceived stress and fatigue, particularly in adolescents and in those with more complex diagnostic profiles. These findings highlight the importance of multidisciplinary management strategies integrating accurate diagnosis, nutritional counseling, and psychosocial support in order to address the broader impact of pediatric food hypersensitivity.