Write a PREreview

Background: Excessive sugar consumption is a major contributor to chronic diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes, dental caries, and mental health disorders. International evidence highlights the need to integrate nutrition and lifestyle education into nursing curricula. In Albania, where non-communicable diseases are rising, nursing education and clinical practice must adapt to address these challenges. Aim: This scoping review aimed to map recent evidence on sugar consumption, health outcomes, and policy interventions, and to explore how these can be integrated into nursing education and practice in Albania. Methods: Following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, six databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ERIC, Academic Search Premier, PsycINFO) were searched for studies published between January 2021 and June 2026. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed articles in English addressing sugar consumption, health outcomes, or policy frameworks relevant to nursing education. Data extraction was performed using a structured template and analyzed through inductive thematic analysis. Results: Three dimensions emerged: ● Contextual: System-level interventions such as taxation, labeling, and public health campaigns support healthier choices. ● Social: Cultural norms, family practices, and peer influences shape sugar consumption, requiring community-based interventions. ● Individual: Sugar intake is linked to chronic disease, dental health, and mental well-being, highlighting the need for counseling and behavioral support. Rising rates of obesity and diabetes at QSUT underscore the urgency of integrating these dimensions into nursing curricula. Conclusion: Sugar consumption poses a multidimensional challenge requiring contextual, social, and individual responses. Nursing education at University Aldent should incorporate policy literacy, community engagement, and counseling skills. Collaboration between QSUT, academic institutions, and public health authorities is essential to strengthen Albania’s response to sugar-related diseases.