Abstract
For those diagnosed with cancer, lifestyle factors including diet can be more important than ever. However, lack of nutrition-related knowledge can pose a significant barrier to healthy eating. Food labels guide consumers in selecting appropriate portion sizes—that is, caloric content—and ensuring adequate intake of nutrients. Data from the 2013-2014 HINTS were used to examine (a) differences in food label use and food label literacy between respondents ever had a cancer diagnosis and those never had a diagnosis; (b) sociodemographic correlates and health-related correlates of food label use and literacy, in a context of cancer diagnosis; and (c) potential association between food label use/literacy and each of two dietary choices, eating vegetables and fruits and limiting intake of sugary drinks, again, in a context of cancer diagnosis. Data was analyzed via SPSS version 24.0, and cross tabulations using Pearson's Chi-square test and logistic regressions. Income, gender and non-participation in support groups were associated with food label literacy (p<.05). Confidence to take care of self was associated with food label use (p<.05). Relationships were observed between using food labels and curtailing soda intake (b = -.368, p<.05), eating relatively more fruits (b = .558, p<.05), and eating relatively more vegetables (b = .558, p<.05). The overall models predicting consumption of soda [x2 (2) = 13.70, p = .001, Nagelkerke R-square = .059], of fruits [x2 (2) = 33.87, p < .001, Nagelkerke R-square = .136], and of vegetables [x2 (2) = 36.08, p < .001, Nagelkerke R-square = .144] was statistically significant. Implications for research and practice can be found in results linking food label use to better quality diets. They include the usefulness of nutrition education interventions targeting lower-income men with cancer diagnoses; one lesson should be the use of food labels.
Highlights
Cancer is the second most common cause of mortality in the USA; approximately 1,735,350 new cases will be diagnosed in 2018 [46]
This study was prompted by the numerous negative consequences reported to accompany weight gain, obesity, and associated chronic illness in people diagnosed at some point with cancer [17, 25, 39]
We sought evidence on how cancer diagnosis might be related to use of food labels and food label literacy; evidence on how patients’ / survivors’ sociodemographic variables and general-health indicators might be linked to their food label use and literacy; and evidence on how food label use and literacy might in turn help explain dietary behaviors of cancer-diagnosed respondents
Summary
Cancer is the second most common cause of mortality in the USA; approximately 1,735,350 new cases will be diagnosed in 2018 [46]. Americans diagnosed with all types of cancer have an average survival rate of 34% [5]. Cancer survivors do not just face psychological distress, they become relatively more susceptible to chronic illnesses including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity [17, 25, 39]. The latter is especially common in women who have received treatment for breast cancer.
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