Nutrition Label Use and the Association between Interest in Sodium Information and Nutrient Intake among Korean Adults with Hypertension
10.14373/JKDA.2026.32.2.105
- Author:
Sangyeon KIM
1
;
Su-Min LEE
;
Hae-Jeung LEE
Author Information
1. Dept. of Food and Nutrition, Hanyang Women’s University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
2026;32(2):105-111
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a prevalent chronic condition among Korean adults. Dietary management, particularly sodium reduction, plays an important role in controlling hypertension. Nutrition labels may help individuals make healthier food choices, but their actual use and relationship with dietary intake among Korean adults with hypertension remain insufficiently understood.This study examined the awareness and the use of nutrition labels and assessed their association with the nutrient intake, with a focus on checking sodium information on nutrition labels among Korean adults with hypertension. The participants were 4,692 adults aged 35 years or older with hypertension selected from the 2022~2024 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Awareness, use, and the self-reported influence of nutrition labels on food choice were assessed. The nutrient intake was estimated from 24-hour dietary recall data. All analyses accounted for the complex survey design and were adjusted for age, sex, education level, income, and total energy intake. Overall, 66.5% of participants were aware of the nutrition labels, but only 32.8% used the labels. Among label users, 78.1% reported that labels influenced food choices. The nutrients most frequently checked were energy (23.1%) and sugar (22.7%), whereas sodium received relatively less attention (11.6%). No significant differences were observed in the sodium intake or most other nutrient intakes depending on whether sodium information on nutrition labels was checked. These findings suggest that nutrition label use remains limited, and policy-level strategies and targeted nutrition education interventions are needed to promote sodium reduction among adults with hypertension.
