The prevalence of food allergies in the nation has nearly doubled within a decade, while peanut sensitivity is on the ＿＿（21）＿＿ among young children, according to Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. From 2004 to 2017, the percentage of those aged 4 to 18 with food allergies ＿＿（22）＿＿ from 7.7 to 10.4 percent, Director Su, Kuan-wen of the Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology told a news conference. Among adults, the percentage increased from 6.4 to 12.5 percent over the period, he said, citing a survey with 16,800 ＿＿（23）＿＿ responses. The percentage increases are roughly on a par with global trends, as most nations have seen a two to fivefold increase in recent decades, Su said. Genetics cannot fully account for the rapid increase, meaning that environmental factors are a ＿＿（24）＿＿ cause, he said. The top three food allergies among elementary school students treated at the hospital were shellfish, peanuts, and eggs, he said. However, among junior high school students and adults, the top three were shellfish, fish, and peanuts ＿＿（25）＿＿ , he added. " This shows that nut allergies are becoming more common among the younger generation, negating the belief that such allergies are only prevalent in other nations," Su said.