Association between Use of Nutrition Labels and Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008–2019

Nutrition labeling on food packages is increasingly found to promote healthier food choices associated with lower risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). To examine associations between nutrition labels use and CKD risk, we conducted a nationally representative cross-sectional study of 32,080 adults from the 2008–2019 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Nutrition labels use was collected via self-reported questionnaires. Ascertainment and severity of CKD was determined by estimated glomerular filtration rate or proteinuria. In multivariable-adjusted (MV) logistic regression models, increasing awareness and use of nutrition labels was significantly associated with lower CKD risk (MV-adjusted OR “nutrition labels aware and use” group vs. “nutrition labels unaware” group [95% CIs]: 0.75 [0.59–0.95], P(trend):0.03). This inverse association varied with CKD’s risk of progression, with 21% and 42% reduced risk observed for CKD subtypes with “moderate” and “high” risk of progression, respectively (all P(trend) ≤ 0.04). Furthermore, the nutrition labels use and CKD risk association significantly differed by age, with 35% reduced risk observed in the older group aged 49 years or older, but not in the younger group (P(interaction) < 0.001). Our results suggest increasing perception and use of nutrition labels may contribute to CKD prevention and its early asymptomatic progression, especially in older adults.