Nutritional approaches for college students with depression
Official title: Nutritional Intervention for College Students With Depression
Run by University of California, San Diego · NCT07490782 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Diego Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (La Jolla, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 2026 |
| Main results expected | November 2027 |
| Study ends | February 2028 |
| Registry record updated | March 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07490782 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.