Gastric Cancer Risk Was Associated with Dietary Factors Irritating the Stomach Wall: A Case-Control Study in Korea

• Published in: Nutrients 2022-05, Vol.14 (11), p.2233
• Main Authors: Kim, Sang Young, Kwak, Jung Hyun, Eun, Chang Soo, Han, Dong Soo, Kim, Yong Sung, Song, Kyu Sang, Choi, Bo Youl, Kim, Hyun Ja
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case-Control Studies; case–control study; Data collection; Diet; Diet - adverse effects; Disease; Family medical history; Food; Gastric cancer; Health aspects; Health risks; Hospitals; Humans; Hyperphagia - complications; meal frequency; overeating; preference; Questionnaires; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Rice; Risk analysis; Risk Factors; Stomach; Stomach cancer; Stomach Neoplasms - epidemiology; Stomach Neoplasms - etiology
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu14112233

The incidence of gastric cancer is high in Korea, and dietary factors are important risk factors for gastric cancer. This study examined whether gastric cancer risk was related to dietary factors that directly irritate the stomach wall. This case−control study consisted of 308 matched pairs of gastric cancer cases and controls recruited from 2002 to 2006 at two hospitals in Korea. Dietary assessments were completed using a food frequency questionnaire and a dietary habit questionnaire. Gastric cancer risk was increased for high meal frequency of >3 vs. low meal frequency of ≤3 times per day, overeating vs. not overeating, and preferred vs. not preferred spicy or salty foods. Furthermore, participants with dietary factors of high meal frequency, overeating, and preference for spicy or salty foods elevated the risk of gastric cancer compared to those with low meal frequency, not overeating, and not preferring spicy or salty foods, simultaneously. In conclusion, gastric cancer risk was significantly increased in people with dietary factors that irritate the stomach wall, such as high meal frequency, overeating, and preference for spicy or salty foods.