• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2009

This study was performed to investigate the effect of food and nutrition label education on the perception and utilization of nutrition labels on food packaging, and to suggest the importance and necessity of food and nutrition label education in the school curriculum. 811 junior-high school students participated in this study and completed self-administered questionnaires regarding general characteristics, and the perception and utilization of nutrition labels. Knowledge of nutrition labels was tested by 13 questions on the questionnaire. Data was analyzed (using SAS package program) based on the educational experience with nutrition labels. Significant differences in each variable were tested using the $X^2$-test and t-test. Students who had learned about the food and nutrition labeling system had more knowledge of nutrition labels and were more likely to check the nutrition label before purchasing food. In addition, students who had been educated about food and nutrition labels in the school curriculum had a significantly higher understanding and recognition of the nutrition label system. These results suggest that education concerning the food and nutrition label system increased the students' interest in nutrition labels and helped them choose healthy food. Therefore, it is necessary to include an education program about food and nutrition labels in the school curriculum to help students use label information and make healthy dietary choices.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.193-205
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to investigate nutrient and food intake status and dietary quality in Korean adults according to nutrition label utilization. Methods: We analyzed data from the combined 2010-2011 KNHANES (Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). The analysis included 8190 adults aged 19 to 64 years. In this study, according to nutrition label utilization, we classified the subjects according to the "non-utilization of nutrition label (NUNL)" group (male, n = 2716, female, n = 3147), "identification of nutrition label (INL)" group (male, n = 143, female, n = 330), and "Utilization of nutrition label (UNL)" group (male, n = 363, female, n = 1491). Nutrient and food group intake, NAR (nutrient adequacy ratio), MAR (mean adequacy ratio), and INQ (index of nutritional quality) were analyzed using data from the 24-recall method. Results: Results of this study showed that subjects in the NUNL group were significantly more likely to drink alcohol compared with the other two groups. The NUNL group showed a significantly higher frequency of consuming instant noodles, Soju (male), and carbonated drink (female) than the UNL group, whereas the NUNL group showed a significantly lower frequency of consuming milk, soymilk, and yogurt than the UNL group. In addition, regarding diet quality (NAR and INQ), significantly lower vitamin $B_2$, vitamin C, and calcium was observed in the NUNL group compared with the UNL group. For both male and female, significantly higher MAR was observed in the UNL group than in the NUNL group. The NUNL group showed significantly lower consumption of milk compared to the UNL group. Conclusion: Good dietary practice such as referring to nutrition labels and its influence can affect the quality of nutritional intake and selection of food, while it can also provide basic data for specific nutrition education regarding use of nutrition labeling.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.559-568
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• 2008

Even though snacks or meals purchased by teenagers have dramatically increased in Korea, it has not been investigated whether teenagers know and take notice of the nutrition label. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the usefulness and utilization of food and nutrition labels amongst teenagers. Questionnaires were distributed 814 of junior-high school students and were completed by self-administrated questionnaires. Questionnaires included questions regarding general characteristics, perception and utilization of food and nutrition labels and degree of necessity and satisfaction on food products and nutrition labels. Data was analyzed with regards to sex and school year by using a SAS package program. Significant differences of each variable were tested by using the $x^2$-test, t-test and ANOVA. Only 4.4% of participants were well informed about food and nutrition labels, while 26.0% of them did not know about it. Most of participants(78%) perceived that food and nutrition labeling system is necessary but are not satisfied with it. More of them did not check the food and nutrition label when they purchased food. Students usually checked the food and nutrition label to know about the nutritional value, and additives. The survey showed that more than three quarters of participants take notice of the food and nutrition label on products whereas only 57.7% of them knew what the food and nutrition actually meant. This study showed that most teenagers did not know the food and nutrition label, didn't have right information and didn't use it. Therefore, it is necessary to include an educational program about the food and nutrition label in the school curriculum and that will help students use the nutrition label and help them choose healthy food.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.1801-1810
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate food-nutrition labeling perception and utilization classified by age in Busan. The survey was conducted from March 26 to April 30, 2008 by questionnaires and data analyzed by SPSS program. The results are summarized as follows: reasons for purchase of the processed food was 'delicious' in elementary school children and middle & high school students, but was 'easy to eat and cook' in the adults groups (p<0.001). The criteria for choice of the processed foods was 'taste' in all of the subjects. Eighty seven point five percent of the over 60's do not know about food labeling and 70.1% of them did not check the food label. The first confirmed items for buying the processed foods was 'expiration date' in all of the subjects (71.1%). In elementary school children, middle & high school students, 20's & 30's group, the ratio of awareness of nutrition label was higher than the 40's & 50's and over 60's group. For reading of nutrition label, all of the subjects except elementary group replied 'often' (p<0.001). For the experience of education and publicity on food-nutrition labeling, 54.3% of the subjects replied 'often', and there was a significant difference by age. For the necessity of education and publicity on food-nutrition labeling, 49.5% of the subjects replied 'necessary'. There was significant positive correlation between degree of checking of nutrition label and degree of checking of food label, accuracy of knowledge of processed food, necessity of education and publicity. Therefore, education and publicity on food-nutrition labeling for the subjects are required to encourage them to choose more nutritious food and have healthier dietary pattern.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.45-56
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• 2021

This study evaluated the dietary habits and health behaviors of Korean adolescents according to their nutrition label utilization. This study was conducted on the adolescents aged between 12 and 18 who participated in the 2016-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Subjects were classified into nutrition label utilizing group and non-utilizing group. Then the general information, diet habit and nutrient intakes, health status and obesity and mental health of the two groups were analyzed. There was no significant difference in skipping breakfast, frequency of eating out, smoking status and alcohol drinking status according to the utilization of nutrition labels. Nutrition label utilizing group had higher % KDRI of protein(p<0.05), calcium (p<0.01), phosphorus(p<0.01) and potassium intakes(p<0.01) than non-utilizing group. Nutrition label utilizing group had higher EQ-5D score(0.97) than non-utilizing group(p<0.001). Practical nutrition education using nutrition label is needed. So these results can be useful for supporting dietary education regarding use of nutrition label for adolescents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.299-308
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• 2002

The purposes of this study were to examine understanding, attitudes, and behaviors of college students regarding the nutrition labels of food package and the relations among these factors and demographic background such as educational experience with label, major, home place and parents' status. The study was surveyed 471 undergraduate students enrolled in general education classes at local university. Generally, college students could understand nutrition label. Nutrition related class in college didn't influence Nutrition label understanding, use and purchasing behavior. Students whose mothers with higher than college education level and professional work showed strong dependability on nutrition label. Label use, understanding and purchasing behaviors significantly associated with gender of subjects. All the subjects looked at the amount of sodium most frequently among all the nutrients listed on the food package(88.8%). Of all the food labels, the manufacturing date(25.1%) was considered the most important and the refund and exchange(12.9%) was considered the least important information. This paper suggested that nutrition education program for college students needs to be developed in series from elementary school curriculum and to enhance the use of nutrition labels.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.765-774
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• 1998

This purpose of this study was to contribute to the establishment of nutriton labeling and consumer education about food label by offereing basic information. Survey was carried out by questionnaire method. Subject groups were middle and high school female teachers and they were asked questions about their 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 system. Questionnaires were distributed to 500 middle school female teachers in Chungbuk and Kyoggi area. Out of 340 reports(68%) collected, 311 reports(91.5%) were analyzed using SAS computer program. Most of the respondents payed much attention to the labels of the food at the time of purchase, the degree of their satisfaction in the current food labeling system was low. Concerning the awareness on nutrition labeling, Home Economics teachers knew better than non-Home Economics whether there were the regulations of nutrition labeling in Korea or not. Ninety-six percent of respondents answered that nutrition labeling is necessary. Home Economics teachers recognized the necessity of nutrition labeling more strongly than non-Home Economics teachers. Sixty eight percent of the respondents showed positive attitude to the actuation of nutrition labeling.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.38-47
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• 2023

Objectives: This study examined the association between the experience of disease management education and the use of nutrition labels according to the sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviors of people diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes living in the community. Methods: Among the participants from the Community Health Survey (2018), 74,283 individuals diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes were included in the study population. According to gender, this study evaluated nutrition label use by the experience of disease management education, individual sociodemographic characteristics, and health behavior. Finally, using multiple logistic regression analysis, the association between disease management education and nutrition labels was calculated using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Males (24.5%) experienced more disease management education than females (22.6%). In addition, younger age, higher education level, and higher equalized personal income experienced more disease management education (P < 0.001). The educational experience rate was higher in the male subjects who did not smoke or were involved in high-risk alcohol consumption (P < 0.001). In addition, the rate of disease management education experience was significantly higher for both men and women who exercised by walking (P < 0.001). The use of nutrition labels was higher in females (9.9%) than males (5.8%), and both males and females were significantly higher in young age, high education, high income, and professional and office positions (P < 0.001). The utilization rate of nutrition labels was high in non-smoking male subjects and high-risk-drinking female subjects. In addition, the utilization rate of nutrition labels was significantly higher in males and females who exercised by walking and those who experienced disease management education (P < 0.001). After adjusting for individual sociodemographic characteristics, health behavior, and disease management education, the use of nutrition labels was high among females (OR 3.19, 95% CI 2.85-3.58), high income (Q4; OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.41-1.87, Q5; OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.37-1.84) and highly educated (high school; OR 2.87, 95% CI 2.62-3.14, above college; OR 5.60, 95% CI 5.02-6.23) while it was low in the elderly (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.40-0.47), and economically inactive (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.96). The use of nutrition labels was high in non-smokers (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.13-1.48), nonhigh-risk drinkers (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.08-1.38), and subjects who exercised walking (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.34-1.54). There was no difference in the utilization rate of nutrition labels according to obesity, and the utilization rate of nutrition labels was significantly higher in subjects who had experienced disease education (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.24-1.44). Conclusions: Education on the use of nutrition labels, which contributes to food selection for healthy eating, might be a tool for dietary management. Moreover, the utilization rate can be a good indicator for predicting the proportion of the population practicing the guide for disease management. Improving the utilization rate of nutrition labels through disease management education can be a useful intervention for people with chronic diseases who need healthy eating habits for disease management and preventing complications, particularly those diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.262-271
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• 2016

Purpose: Using food labels has been related to healthy eating habits and positive health outcomes. The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence of food labels utilization and the association between food label use and obesity related factors. Methods: We conducted a self-reported population-based survey including health behaviors, 24-hour recalls, measurements of body mass indices with 6,266 Koreans aged 10 or older. ${\chi}^2$-test and ANOVA examined differences in demographic factors, health behavioral factors, and nutrition factors in tandem with food label use categories. Multivariates logistic regression was used to estimate association between food label use and obesity factors. Results: The percentages of food label users and non-users who perceive food labels were 21.8% and 48.5% respectively. In the multivariate logistic regression, food label use had significant positive associations with women, age, income, education attainment, and subjective obesity. After adjusting for socioeconomic factors and dietetic treatments, the positive associations between food label use and subjective obesity, weight control, and subjective obesity with objective normal weight remained. Conclusion: In order to improve eating habits and weight management, the obesity population that does not use food labels needs to receive proper nutrition education including food choice and body image correction.