Impact of Mediterranean Diet and Mindful Eating on Depression in Obese Individuals

The Effect of Mediterranean Diet and Mindfulness Eating on Depression Severity in People With Obesity and Major Depressive Disorder - a Randomized Controlled Study With Mulitfactorial Design

Not applicable Interventional University Hospital Tuebingen · NCT06621394

This study is testing if following a Mediterranean Diet and practicing Mindful Eating can help reduce depression in people who are obese and struggling with major depressive disorder.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment64 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital Tuebingen Academic / other
Locations1 site (Stuttgart)
Trial IDNCT06621394 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how a Mediterranean Diet and Mindful Eating can affect depression severity in individuals with obesity and major depressive disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: Mediterranean Diet, Mindful Eating, a combination of both, or a befriending control group. The intervention lasts for 12 weeks and includes five individual nutrition counseling sessions, followed by a 12-week follow-up period. The primary focus is on measuring changes in depression severity, along with secondary outcomes related to quality of life and dietary adherence.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with clinically diagnosed major depression and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2).

Not a fit: Patients with gastrointestinal diseases, severe food allergies, or other significant psychological comorbidities may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a holistic treatment option for patients suffering from both obesity and major depressive disorder.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown positive effects of the Mediterranean Diet on mental health, suggesting potential success for this combined approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years
* Presence of clinically diagnosed major depression
* At least moderate depression severity: BDI-II ≥ 20
* obesity: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2
* Stable co-intervention: no change in the type, dosage or frequency of antidepressant medication and/or psychotherapy four weeks before and during the study
* Low adherence to the mediterranean diet: MEDAS \< 10
* Low adherence to mindful eating: MEI \< 5.13

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that do not allow adequate implementation of the intervention (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, post-bariatric surgery, colorectal carcinoma)
* Metabolic diseases with strong impact on intervention (e.g. type 1 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease)
* Severe food allergies and intolerances, that do not allow adequate implementation of the intervention
* Diagnosed, current psychological comorbidities (bipolar disorder, eating disorder, personality disorder, psychosis)
* intake of antibiotics in the last three months current substance abuse
* Pregnancy and breatfeeding
* Suicidal ideation
* unable to participate or complete questionnaires

Healthy Volunteers:

samples of 32 healthy volunteers are included for microbiome analysis only (

inclusion criteria:

* age ≥ 18 years
* BMI 20 - 30 kg/m\^2

exclusion criteria:

* depression or other psychological comorbidities (bipolar disorder, eating disorder, personality disorder, psychosis)
* high adhernece to mediterranean diet: MEDAS ≥ 10
* high adherence to mindful eating: MEI ≥ 5.13
* Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or metabilic diseases (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, post-bariatric surgery, colorectal carcinoma, type 1 diabetes mellitus)

  \-- intake of antibiotics in the last three months current substance abuse
* pregnancy or breastfeeding

Where this trial is running

Stuttgart

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Depressive Disorder, Majordepressionmediterranean dietmindfulnes eatingnutritionobesity
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.