Nutritional approaches for college students with depression
Nutritional Intervention for College Students With Depression
NA · University of California, San Diego · NCT07490782
This project will test whether a Mediterranean diet, with or without time-restricted eating, is practical and can be followed by college students with mild-to-moderate depression.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Diego (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (La Jolla, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT07490782 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants first complete a 2-week baseline period logging diet, sleep, activity, and mood. They are then randomized to either a Mediterranean diet alone or time-restricted eating combined with a Mediterranean diet and receive dietary counseling from a registered dietitian during an 8-week intervention. Participants continue to log their diet and wear an actigraphy device to track sleep and activity while mood measures are collected. The main outcomes focus on feasibility and adherence as well as nutritional content, meal timing, and sleep patterns.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are college students aged 18 or older with mild-to-moderate depression who are in generally good physical health and willing to follow dietary counseling and logging procedures.
Not a fit: People with severe depression or elevated suicide risk, lifetime bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, current eating disorders, active substance use disorders, pregnancy or lactation, or who cannot safely participate are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the interventions could offer a low-risk, accessible way for students to improve mood, sleep, and overall well-being through dietary and meal-timing changes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research suggests Mediterranean diets and time-restricted eating can improve mood and metabolic measures in some populations, but combining these approaches specifically in college students with depression is relatively novel and evidence is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years and enrolled as a college student * Symptoms of mild to moderate depression * Receiving treatment for depression or willing to receive treatment during study participation * Generally in good physical health * On a stable dose of any medication affecting weight, metabolism, or mental health Exclusion Criteria: * Elevated risk for suicide * Inability to participate safely, as determined by the study physician * Lifetime diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or post-traumatic stress disorder * Current eating disorder (e.g., bulimia, anorexia nervosa, binge eating) * Current alcohol or substance use disorder * Shift work outside of class schedule in the past 30 days * Pregnancy or lactation * Treatment with an investigational drug for depression or participation in another study requiring modification of diet
Where this trial is running
La Jolla, California
- University of California San Diego — La Jolla, California, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Michael J McCarthy
- Email: mmccarthy@health.ucsd.edu
- Phone: 858-534-8070
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Depression - Major Depressive Disorder, time-restricted eating, Mediterranean diet, nutritional intervention, feasibility