Kmeid, Rita ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4042-9612, Loveday, Heather ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2259-8149 and Wilson, Jennie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4713-9662 (2025) The knowledge, health beliefs and lifestyle choices among adults to maintain a healthy gut microbiome: a scoping review protocol. [Pre-registration]

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Abstract

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to examine and map research and other literature that alludes to policy or investigates individual knowledge, health behaviour, beliefs and information needs related to maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
Introduction: In humans, the microbiome is a large community of microorganisms that reside in various organs in the body, especially in the gut, also known as the gut microbiome (GM). The gut microbiome is crucial for healthy digestion, metabolism, immunity and brain function. International studies have linked the disturbance of GM to long-term conditions such as diabetes type II, obesity, cancer, central nervous system dysfunction, anxiety, ADHD, depression, autism, and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease. Understanding the extent of public knowledge, health beliefs and lifestyle choices is crucial to the design of interventions that will improve knowledge and influence health habits and dietary behaviours. The results of this scoping review will assist in identifying the current focus of research and policy in the field. In particular, it will map the types of questions being asked, study designs, geographical location, cultural influences on individual health behaviour and beliefs related to the gut microbiome and gut health. The review will assist in identifying gaps to inform the conduct of further research syntheses and primary research.

Inclusion criteria: Eligible literature will include policy and published research literature that address the concepts of individual knowledge, health behaviours, lifestyle choices and cultural influences on adults; the context covers Europe, North America and the Middle East.

Methods: This scoping review will employ the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidance. A three-step search strategy will be implemented in this review using the databases
PubMed/MEDLINE (OVID) and CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and grey literature such as OpenGrey repository, Google scholar, National Institute of

JBI Evidence Synthesis health (NIH) and the ISRCTN registry. Grey literature sources and the reference lists of key studies to identify studies appropriate for inclusion. No language limits will be applied. This search will be conducted between the months of January and July
2024. This review does not require ethical approval.

KEYWORDS: gut microbiome; gut microbiota; gut health; microbiome; scoping review; knowledge; awareness; understanding; review; search strategy; lifestyle choices; health beliefs; lifestyle practices; healthy lifestyle, non-communicable diseases (NCD’s).

Item Type:	Pre-registration
Keywords:	gut microbiome; gut microbiota; gut health; microbiome; scoping review; knowledge; awareness; understanding; review; search strategy; lifestyle choices; health beliefs; lifestyle practices; healthy lifestyle, non-communicable diseases (NCD’s).
Related URLs:	https://uwlpress.uwl.ac.uk/newvistas/art...
Date Deposited:	08 Apr 2026
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/14851
Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being

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