J Korean Acad Nurs.  2017 Feb;47(1):133-141. 10.4040/jkan.2017.47.1.133.

Association between Awareness of Nutrition Labels and Menstrual Cycle Irregularity in Korean Women: The Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010~2012)

• Yoo HY
• Ryu E
• Kim JS
• Han KD

• KMID: 2425943
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2017.47.1.133

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between awareness of nutrition labeling and menstrual cycle irregularity in women from a nationally representative sample of the Korean population.
METHODS
A cross-sectional analysis was performed using hierarchical multivariable logistic regression analysis models. A total of 4,324 women aged 19~54 years from the 2010~2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participated in the study. The participants were classified into three groups based on self-report responses to a questionnaire about their awareness of nutrition labels: Reading, Not-Reading, and Not-Knowing Groups.
RESULTS
The Reading, Not-Reading, and Not-Knowing Groups comprised 46.4%, 44.9%, and 8.7% of the participants, respectively, and 53.6% of the participants had never used nutrition labels. In the Not-Knowing Group, irregular menstrual cycles for more than 3 months were significantly more common than women with irregular menstrual cycles for up to 3 months and women with regular menstrual cycles. Women in the Not-Knowing Group were more likely to exhibit menstrual cycle irregularity (adjusted odds ratio: 1.63, 95% confidence interval: 1.10~2.41) compared to women in the Reading Group after adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake, exercise regularity, stress, depression, suicidal ideation, metabolic syndrome, age at menarche, parity, and use of oral contraceptives.
CONCLUSION
No awareness of nutrition labeling appears to be associated with a higher prevalence of menstrual cycle irregularity in a nationally representative group of Korean women.

Keyword

Food labeling; Menstrual cycle; Health literacy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Alcohol Drinking
*Awareness
Body Mass Index
Cross-Sectional Studies
Exercise
Female
*Food Labeling
Health Literacy
Humans
Logistic Models
Menstrual Cycle
Menstruation Disturbances/*prevention & control
Middle Aged
Nutrition Surveys
Odds Ratio
Republic of Korea
Risk Factors
Self Report
Smoking
Surveys and Questionnaires
Women/*psychology
Young Adult

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Prevalence of menstrual cycle characteristics in the Not-Knowing Group. Data are precentage and standard-error values.

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