Korean J Fam Pract.  2023 Dec;13(4):225-232. 10.21215/kjfp.2023.13.4.225.

Utilization of Nutrition Labels and Its Relation to Nutrient Intake among Cancer Survivors: The 2019–2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

• Choi K
• Son S
• Joh HK
• Jeong SM

• KMID: 2549645
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21215/kjfp.2023.13.4.225

Abstract

Background
Considering the impact of nutrition on cancer recurrence and prognosis, ensuring adequate nutrient intake is crucial to cancer survivorship care. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors associated with the use of nutrition labeling among cancer survivors and to assess nutrition intake patterns based on nutrition label use.
Methods
This study included 552 participants aged ≥20 years who reported a history of cancer diagnosis in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2021). Factors associated with the use of nutrition labeling were examined using logistic regression analysis. Differences in nutrient intake between a nutrition label utilizing group and a non-utilizing group were analyzed using linear regression.
Results
Overall, 37.1% of cancer survivors referred to nutrition labels. The nutrition label utilizing group had a younger average age, a higher proportion of urban residents, higher income levels, and higher education levels than the non-utilizing group. The nutrient densities of fat and dietary fiber were higher, whereas that of carbohydrates was lower in the nutrition label utilizing group. Among cancer survivors, those who were diagnosed <5 years ago since cancer diagnosis showed a higher proportion of nutrition label use, lower nutrient density of carbohydrates, and higher nutrient density of dietary fiber than their counterparts.
Conclusion
This study determined the proportion of cancer survivors who use nutrition labels and the factors associated with nutrition label utilization, as well as its relation to nutrition intake. Education regarding nutrition label use among cancer survivors is necessary to achieve adequate nutrition intake, particularly for long-term cancer survivors.

Keyword

Cancer Survivors; Nutrition Labeling; Nutrient Intake; Nutrient Density