Korean J Community Nutr.  2022 Oct;27(5):397-405. 10.5720/kjcn.2022.27.5.397.

Effects from the Use of Nutrition Labels and the Levels of Sodium-related Nutrition Knowledge on the Consumption of Instant Noodles (Ramyeon) by Middle School Students in the Incheon Area

• Kwon YH
• Kim HS

• KMID: 2534864
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2022.27.5.397

Abstract

Objectives
This study examines the effect on the frequency of Ramyeon consumption based on who checks nutrition labels and on the levels of sodium-related nutrition knowledge among middle school students in the Incheon area.
Methods
Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 359 students (143 males and 216 females) from May to October 2021. General information as well as Ramyeon-eating behaviors were surveyed. The frequency of Ramyeon consumption was compared depending on who checks nutrition labels and on the amount of sodium-related nutrition knowledge students have. Both X ² tests and t-tests were conducted for categorical and mean comparisons.
Results
Regarding the consumption of Ramyeon, 46% of the students replied that they eat it alone at home. The criteria for choosing the kind of Ramyeon to eat were taste (79.4%), price (9.2%), brand and new products (4.5%), nutrition (2.2%), weight control (2.2%), and other factors (2.5%). When purchasing Ramyeon, more students replied that they did not read nutrition labels (66.0%) compared to those who did read labels (34.0%). Answers to questions on sodium-related nutrition earned an average of 6.84 out of nine points (males, 6.72 points, females, 6.91 points, ns). The average frequency of Ramyeon consumption was 1.67 times per week (males, 1.66, females, 1.68, ns). The frequency of Ramyeon consumption by students who checked nutrition labels was lower than for students who did not check labels (1.44 times per week vs. 1.79 times per week, P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Students who checked nutrition labels reported a lower frequency of Ramyeon consumption than students who did not check them. Education on checking nutrition labels may reduce the consumption of processed foods such as Ramyeon and may lead to making healthy choices when purchasing food.

Keyword

Ramyeon; nutrition labels; nutrition knowledge