• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.297-306
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of diabetes has continued to increase globally. Changes in eating habits, lack of exercise, increased stress, and aging are major contributors. Glycemic control is the key strategy of diabetes management. The purpose of this study was to analyze the utilization of nutrition labels and related factors among patients with diabetes. MATERIALS/METHODS: Data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. General, health-related, diabetes-related characteristics from 1,587 adults with diabetes history were included. Nutrition label utilization was assessed with awareness and use of nutrition labels and effects on food choice. For statistical analyses, chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of awareness, use, and effects of nutrition labels on food choice among diabetic patients were 48.8%, 11.4%, and 9.6%, respectively. High monthly income, walking frequency, family history of diabetes, younger age at diagnosis, and shorter duration of diabetes were associated with higher nutrition label awareness. Nutrition label use and effect on food choice were higher in women, those with high monthly income, those diagnosed at younger than 45 yrs, those with diabetes for less than 10 yrs, those with meal therapy, or patients who had undergone a fundus examination. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition label utilization status was low in Korean patients with diabetes. Strategies are needed to promote nutrition label use as a diet management tool for patients with diabetes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.1265-1273
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the BMI, intake of snacks, and perceptions and use of food and nutrition labels by middle school students (144 boys and 189 girls) in Chuncheon area. The average height and weight of boys were $171.0{\pm}6.4$ cm and $61.0{\pm}11.4$ kg, respectively, whereas those of girls were $160.0{\pm}4.8$ cm and $50.8{\pm}6.6$ kg, respectively. Average body mass index (BMI) of boys and girls were $20.8{\pm}3.3$ and $19.8{\pm}2.4$, respectively (p<0.01). Dietary intake attitude score of girls ($34.39{\pm}5.66$) was higher than that of boys ($33.92{\pm}5.40$) (p<0.05). Subjects bought and ate snacks 1 to 3 times per week (40.2%) by themselves, and most consumed snacks were cookies (23.1%), instant noodles (16.2%), ice cream (13.2%), and candy and chocolates (13.2%). The most important factor in purchasing of snacks was 'taste' ($4.49{\pm}0.67$). When subjects bought processed foods, the rates of reading food labels was 86.6%. The most important factor of the food labels was 'expiration date' (42.9%). The degree of reading food labels on processed foods by girls ($22.70{\pm}5.72$) was higher than that of boys ($20.96{\pm}5.35$) (p<0.01). Of the 13.2% of subjects that did not read food labels, the reason why was that they were not interested (50.0%). Of the 78.4% of subjects that read nutrition labels, the most important component of the nutrition labels was 'calories' (75.9%). The main reason for reading nutrition labels was 'to control weight' (45.6%). In general, use of food labels correlated positively with dietary intake attitude score (p<0.05) and use of nutrition labels (p<0.01). Using multiple regression analysis, we found that 'usefulness of dietary life' was the most significant variable that affects the importance of food and nutrition labels. Therefore, development of an educational program on food and nutrition labels for adolescents will be effective in improving dietary life.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.206-213
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• 2007

This study investigated the prevalence of nutrition labeling and claims on processed and packaged foods. The final database consists of 1,287 foods, which were collected in two supermarkets in the Seoul area from September to November, 2006. An estimated 78% of KFDA-regulated processed, and packaged foods have nutrition labels. Nutrient content claims on food labels were identified in 21% of the foods which have nutrition labels. The prevalence of nutrition labels in this study is much higher than in previous studies due to the current expansion of the mandatory labeling regulation. However, false labeling and misleading contents claims were also identified. The food label is an important tool for enhancing the public's understanding of healthy choices of processed foods. Therefore, to maximize the benefits of the nutrition labeling regulation, industries, government agencies and health professionals should work together to help consumers make healthy dietary choices and improve their health.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.725-733
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• 2010

This study examined the understanding and use of information on nutrition labels based on one serving size among female consumers above the age of 20 in Seoul area. According to the survey, 69.9% of respondents were aware of the current system of nutrition labeling based on one serving size, and 51.8% of the respondents expressed their dissatisfaction with the system because the nutrition labels were difficult to understand or appeared unreliable. The nutrition label literacy of the consumers varied with respect to different packaging units. The respondents were likely to be less accurate in calculating the expected caloric intake when only portions of a multi-serving package were used. Initially 69.0% of respondents reported that they had read the nutrition label before purchasing a product but 91.9% of respondents said that they would check the label after learning how to read the label properly. It is very important to make consumers aware that the labels are very reliable sources of nutrition information. A public education campaign on the use of nutrition labels should focus on developing the consumers' ability and skills in using the label information when choosing foods.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2001

Consumers'frequent use of micronutrient supplements has caused concerns o possible overdoses and prompted the view that the appropriate provision of nutrition information on such supplements is needed. In this study the nutrition information on vitamin-mineral supplements in Korea was evaluated based on the labels on the supplements. Consumers'use, reliance on and demand for nutrition information were examined by self-administered questionnaire. Subjects were 1,203 middle-aged housewives. Under examination were 141 multinutrient products (86.6%) and single nutrient products (13.4%). Various names and units were used for the same nutrient and the labels were not informative to consumers. The mode of nutrients contents in the supplements were several fold of RDA though not in the range of toxicity. %RDA value was seldom shown on the label. Currently these supplements are classified as general drugs in Korea so they are not subject to regulations on nutrition labeling. Half of the subjects read the nutrient content list but two-thirds of them did not understand the information. Numerous health claims related to diseases were listed on the label and more than half of the subjects read them and one-third believed those health claims. These results indicate the need for an appropriate format for nutrition information on vitamin-mineral supplements.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.173-186
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to investigate consumers' utilization and satisfaction of the current food labeling system, their awareness of the nutrition labeling and its necessity, and their acceptance of the future enforcement of nutrition labeling. Questionnaires were distributed to 500 adult female consumers in Northern area of Kyonggi-do. Out of 402 questionnaires collected 358(89.1%) were analyzed using SAS computer program. The findings of this study were as follow: First, in the aspects of consumers' utilization and satisfaction of the current food labeling system, although they payed much attention to the food labels when they purchased food goods, the degree of their satisfaction in food labels was low. Among items in food labels they payed more attention to the expiration date, the date of production, and the name of manufacturer. However, the current food labeling system does not offer sufficient and reliable informations to consumers. Second, in the awareness of nutrition labeling and its necessity, majority of consumers appeared not to have seen the nutrition labeling in food products either domestic or imported. However, 93% of respondents answered that nutrition labeling is necessary. Third, in terms of the consumers' acceptance of enforcement of nutrition labeling, they were affirmative in bearing the increased costs, and their expectation to the beneficial effects of enforcement of nutrition labeling was stronger than worrying about the disadvantages or side effects of it.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.391-397
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• 2013

This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of 280 University students towards nutrition labels. The purpose of the study was to examine knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of university students regarding nutrition labeling, and whether body mass index (BMI) with nutrition labeling was associated with knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Descriptive statistics analyzed knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of university students regarding food labeling. The ANOVA and ${\chi}^2$ analysis was evaluated and assessed for its relationship with BMI. Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis examined relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. More than 90 percent of answers relating to 11 nutritional knowledge questions were correct. Only 30% of participants answered correctly regarding questions about plan source oil and cholesterol content. Attitudes and behaviors of nutrition labels were significantly higher among participants who were obese (p<0.001). Knowledge score was positively correlated with general label usage behavior (r=.169, p<0.01), and item buying behavior (r=0.142, p<0.05). Attitude also was positively correlated with behavior (p<0.01). Nutrition labeling education efforts are needed to provide university students with a nutritional education program and information on how to read nutritional labels and apply this information to their lives. University students need to understand their need for numerous nutrients instead of merely focusing on the fat and calories of foods.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.123-137
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current nutritional labeling practices in the processed foods industry. Package labels provide consumers with reliable nutritional information, which has been considered a useful aid for food selection and a potent educational tool for nutrition in a daily life. To assess the nutritional composition labeling and nutritional claims on the food package labels in the Korean market, 2,691 processed foods were purchased from a wholesale market in August, 2004, under the food categories specified in the 2004 Food Code. Nutritional composition labels were found on 674 out of the 2,691 processed foods items. The study findings were as follows. Milk and dairy products showed the highest percentage(56.6%) of nutritional composition labeling among the food categories, while 86.2% of processed foods carried inappropriate types of nutrition labels. The title of nutritional composition labeling was ordered according to the nutritional composition presented on the top part of the box. The regulations method which it indicates was 77.8%. The expression unit of the nutritional composition labeling was per 100g(32.8%) or per OOg (29.4%). Of total processed foods, 83(3.1%) offered nutritional claims in their labels. These claims were divided into two ways: nutrient content claims and nutrient comparative claims. The most frequently used term in nutrient content claims was "contained"(67.2%). "More" or "Plus" were frequently used term in nutrient comparative claims(11.2%). Calcium was the most popular among nutrients claimed by processed foods(34.3%).

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.149-161
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to compare nutrition labeling use according to the gender and obesity degree of adolescents to help choose the healthy foods and improve dietary habits. This study surveyed the perception and use of nutrition labeling among 392 male and female high school students in Chungnam. It was found that 34.7% of the subjects read the nutrition labels, mostly for health reason. Calorie content was read the most among all components of nutrition labels regardless of gender or body mass index (BMI) status, especially among female students. Perception of nutrition labeling was 3.3 out of 5 points for all students, and there was no significant difference in scores between male and female students. However, there was a significant difference between the overweight group (3.4 points), normal group (3.3 points), and underweight group (3.1 points) (P<0.05). The frequency of reading nutrition labels by food group was highest for ramen, and lowest for fruits. Female students had significantly higher scores on the use of nutrition labeling for 8 food groups out of 12 groups compared to male students (P<0.05). In addition, the overweight and above group had significantly higher scores on the use of nutrition labeling for snack food and fruits compared to other groups (P<0.05). The proportion of students who received nutrition labeling education was 29.8%, and about half of students answered that such education and advertisement were necessary. These results suggest that nutritional education is needed to promote the use of nutrition labeling in adolescents.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.327-342
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• 2013

The purposes of this study were to explore consumer preference for the types of nutrition label of cereal products and to identify some influencing factors on purchase intention and choice probability of nutrition-labeled products. First, most of the respondents preferred the nutrition fact panel with traffic light-GDA(TL-GDA), while the nutrition fact panel only type and the nutrition fact panel with front-of-package(FOP) type were preferred by few respondents. However, consumers evaluated higher for TL-GDA type and FOP symbol type, while the nutrition fact panel only type was evaluated much lower. Second, consumer preference for label types was partially related with 'eating breakfast' and consumer evaluations of the types of labels for the nutrition fact panel only and the nutrition fact panel with FOP were found to be significantly different by gender. Lastly, both purchase intention and choice probability for nutrition-labeled products were found to be significantly influenced by information search and product attitude. In addition, choice probability was found to be significantly influenced by individual characteristics such as gender and grade. It is necessary to find the relationship between nutrition labels and consumer response as this can help consumers make a better choice of food as well as providing some useful information on consumers to the related parties such as companies and consumer organizations.