There are many social challenges of celiac disease. It is estimated that 1 in 133 people have celiac disease and 97% of those are undiagnosed. An article from celiac.com last year discussed some of these social challenges and research that is being conducted on the topic:

Anyone who’s tried to maintain a gluten-free diet for celiac disease or other reasons can likely tell stories about the difficulties and challenges they face on a regular basis. Still, very little research has been done regarding the psychological and social challenges faced by people with celiac disease who are attempting to follow a gluten-free diet. Successful treatment of celiac disease requires full compliance with a gluten-free diet. Non-compliance increases risk factors for numerous celiac-associated conditions.

Think about how many social functions center around eating. Almost all of them, holidays, birthdays, business meetings, the list goes on. For someone with celiac disease it makes the function difficult, if not impossible to take part in. The following video explains these challenges from a celiac’s point of view: