Final answer:
The statement is false; preschool-age children are at a greater risk than adults of getting sick from contaminated food due to factors such as less developed immunity and poorer hygiene practices. Adults tend to have better hygiene and have acquired immunity that reduces their likelihood of getting sick from foodborne illnesses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that adults are more likely than preschool-age children to get sick from contaminated food is False. Certain populations are at a heightened risk of developing foodborne illnesses, including pregnant women, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems caused by medical conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, organ transplants, or from treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy. It is important to note that generally, adults have better hygiene and have acquired some immunity compared to preschool children who are more susceptible to infections like gastroenteritis, which can be debilitating and lead to complications such as malnutrition, stunted growth, and developmental delays.
Vaccinations such as the rotavirus vaccine and practices like frequent hand washing can help reduce the incidence of such infections in children. Additionally, several myths surrounding foodborne diseases need to be addressed, such as the misconception that they are only caused by eating out at restaurants or by eating food that has visually gone bad. Important to recognize is that foodborne diseases can arise from various sources including those at home due to poor handling practices as well as inadequate cooking and storage.