Nutrition-related outcomes of children's involvement in healthy meal preparation: a scoping review protocol

OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aims to describe the existing evidence of children's involvement in healthy meal preparation in terms of nutrition-related outcomes, and to highlight potential research directions.

INTRODUCTION: With the worldwide trend of unhealthy dietary habits among children, many researchers have explored the practice of healthy meal preparation as a health promotion habit. Hands-on healthy meal preparation seems to be promising among children, as it focuses on concrete experiences in creating positive attitude towards nutrition. However, a far-reaching understanding of the impact of healthy meal preparation on the wide-ranging nutrition-related outcomes among children is lacking.

INCLUSION CRITERIA: This scoping review will consider studies worldwide that focused on hands-on healthy meal preparation among children aged 5-12 years and the associated nutrition-related outcomes: psychosocial variables, actual nutrition-related behavior and/or body composition.

METHODS: Experimental, observational studies, reviews, text and opinion papers related to the practice of healthy meal preparation among children in English language published from 2010-2019 will be retrieved from five electronic databases. Gray literature sources will also be searched. After screening of titles and abstracts, the full text of potentially relevant articles will be retrieved. Data extracted will be presented in tables alongside the necessary information. Any discrepancies that arise during data synthesis will be discussed among research team until consensus is reached.