The Role of Food Label Use in Enhancing Healthcare Decision-Making Among Patients With Chronic Metabolic Diseases
Author(s)
Hyun Jin Han, MBA, MPH, PhD1, Nan-He Yoon, PhD2, Young-il Jung, PhD3.
1Vista Health Korea Ltd, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 2Won kwang University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 3Korea National Open University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of.
1Vista Health Korea Ltd, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 2Won kwang University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 3Korea National Open University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of.
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between food label use and healthcare decision-making in Korean adults with chronic diseases, focusing on its impact on patient experiences and participation in medical care.
METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, we analyzed data from the 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) comprising 1,732 adults with hypertension or type 2 diabetes who attended regular outpatient visits. Outcome variables included measures of patient engagement (e.g., communication time with doctors, ease of understanding consultations, opportunities to ask questions, and participation in decision-making). The primary independent variable was food label use, with adjustments for sociodemographic factors, health status, and healthcare utilization. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression, were performed using SAS version 9.4.
RESULTS: Over half (51.6%) of participants were unaware of food labels, and among those who were aware, less than 10% actively used them for dietary choices. Food label use was significantly influenced by gender, age, educational attainment, and economic status, with lower engagement among older adults, males, and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Moreover, users of food labels reported higher satisfaction with their healthcare experience, with odds ratios indicating improved communication (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.21-4.31), better understanding of consultations (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.21-7.06), and greater involvement in decision-making (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.04-3.78).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the critical role of health literacy in managing chronic diseases and highlight the need for targeted educational initiatives to promote food label use among populations with lower engagement. Enhancing health literacy through nutrition information may empower patients, improve self-management, and support informed healthcare decision-making.
METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, we analyzed data from the 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) comprising 1,732 adults with hypertension or type 2 diabetes who attended regular outpatient visits. Outcome variables included measures of patient engagement (e.g., communication time with doctors, ease of understanding consultations, opportunities to ask questions, and participation in decision-making). The primary independent variable was food label use, with adjustments for sociodemographic factors, health status, and healthcare utilization. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression, were performed using SAS version 9.4.
RESULTS: Over half (51.6%) of participants were unaware of food labels, and among those who were aware, less than 10% actively used them for dietary choices. Food label use was significantly influenced by gender, age, educational attainment, and economic status, with lower engagement among older adults, males, and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Moreover, users of food labels reported higher satisfaction with their healthcare experience, with odds ratios indicating improved communication (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.21-4.31), better understanding of consultations (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.21-7.06), and greater involvement in decision-making (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.04-3.78).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the critical role of health literacy in managing chronic diseases and highlight the need for targeted educational initiatives to promote food label use among populations with lower engagement. Enhancing health literacy through nutrition information may empower patients, improve self-management, and support informed healthcare decision-making.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-09, ISPOR Real-World Evidence Summit 2025, Tokyo, Japan
Value in Health Regional, Volume 49S (September 2025)
Code
RWD196
Topic Subcategory
Distributed Data & Research Networks
Disease
SDC: Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity)