Abstract

Purpose
Most cancers are preventable by improving dietary habits, individuals with poor dietary behaviors should be encouraged to adopt more active steps to prevent cancer. We surveyed Korean adults to identify the awareness and practice of the recommended guidelines for dietary factors.
Materials and Methods
The 2023 Korean National Cancer Prevention for Dietary Awareness and Practice Survey was a cross-sectional online survey of 4,000 adults aged 20–69. The survey included questions on sociodemographics, lifestyle, and awareness and practice of five dietary recommendations (consuming fruits and vegetables, consuming a balanced diet, avoiding salt, charred foods, and alcohol intake).
Results
Despite more than 90.0% being aware that each dietary recommendation can be a risk determinant for cancer, the practice rate for recommendations showed lower rates than recognition. Especially, in both males and females, the younger (odds ratio [OR]: 1.971 in males and OR: 4.863 in females), with no nutritional education (OR: 2.715 in males and 2.093 in females), and the obese (OR: 1.451 in males, and OR: 1.579 in females) had higher odds of significant non-adherents (failed to comply with 3–5 recommendations) than participants who older, had nutritional education, and normal body mass index, respectively.
Conclusion
Although there is high awareness of dietary recommendations for cancer prevention, participants who were younger, had no nutritional education, or were obese showed poor adherence to cancer-preventive dietary practices. Our findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve the dietary habits of this at-risk population.

• Keywords: Practice, Awareness, Cancer prevention, Dietary recommendation