Food Label Use is associated with Dietary Quality and Dietary Patterns among Latinos with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

BackgroundDiet management is one of the cornerstones of type 2 diabetes care. Therefore, food label (FL) use is likely to be key in helping individuals with type 2 diabetes in making healthier food choices.ObjectiveThe aims of the study were to identify 1) determinants of FL use, and 2) the association between FL use and diet among Latinos with type 2 diabetes.MethodsSecondary analyses of baseline data from Latino adults (N=203) with type 2 diabetes and a HbA1c ≥7% who participated in the DIALBEST randomized controlled trial were conduted. Dietary quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)‐2010 score calculated from a single 24hr recall. Dietary patterns were derived from the past 12 months’ dietary intake assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). FL use was self‐reported. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent determinants associated with FL use. Quantile regressions were conducted between FL use and HEI‐2010 (from 10th to 90th percentiles). Additionally, median regression was carried out to examine the association between FL use and dietary patterns’ factor scores.ResultsRespondent's education level, diabetes‐related knowledge and English speaking were positively associated with FL use. Whereas at lower percentiles (10th to 70th) FL use was not associatied with improved dietary quality, this association was statistically significant in the 80th (p=0.004) and 90th (p<0.001) percentiles. Similarly, FFQ data suggested that FL users were more likely to follow a “healthy dietary pattern” (p=0.003) and less likely to follow a “fried snacks pattern” (p=0.048) compared to non‐FL users.ConclusionFL use was associated with improved dietary intake in participants with type 2 diabetes. FL‐based educational interventions may reduce the prevailing racial/ethnic health disparities among Latinos with type 2 diabetes.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by the Connecticut NIH Export Center for Eliminating Health Disparities among Latinos (NIH‐ NCMHD grant # P20MD001765)