Nutritional Intervention for College Students With Depression

a study on Depression Fasting Intermittent Fasting

Summary

Eligibility
for people ages 18 years and up (full criteria)
Location
at UCSD
Dates
study started
study ends around
Principal Investigator
by Michael McCarthy (ucsd)
Headshot of Michael McCarthy
Michael McCarthy

Description

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the feasibility of nutritional interventions in college students with depression. The main outcomes it aims to measure are:

  • Nutritional content, meal timing, and sleep patterns in college students with depression
  • Feasibility of nutritional interventions (Mediterranean Diet and Time-Restricted Eating + Mediterranean Diet) in college students with depression

Researchers will compare two groups - Mediterranean Diet (Med-Diet) and Time-Restricted Eating + Mediterranean Diet (TRE + Med-Diet) - to assess adherence to the dietary interventions and overall feasibility of the study procedures.

Participants will:

  • Complete a 2-week baseline logging diet, sleep, activity, and mood
  • Be randomized to Mediterranean Diet (Med-Diet) or Time-Restricted Eating + Med-Diet (TRE + Med-Diet)
  • Participate in dietary counseling with a registered dietitian during the 8-week intervention
  • Continue to log diet, wear an actigraphy device, and complete mood, sleep, and diet assessments throughout the intervention

Keywords

Depression - Major Depressive Disorder, time-restricted eating, Mediterranean diet, nutritional intervention, feasibility, Intermittent Fasting, Time-Restricted Eating + Mediterranean Diet

Eligibility

You can join if…

Open to people ages 18 years and up

  • 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

You CAN'T join if...

  • 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

Location

  • University of California San Diego accepting new patients
    La Jolla California 92093 United States

Lead Scientist at University of California Health

  • Michael McCarthy (ucsd)
    Dr. McCarthy earned a B.S. in Biochemistry and Psychology from the University of New Mexico, before completing his doctoral training in medicine and neuroscience at Ohio State University.

Details

Status
accepting new patients
Start Date
Completion Date
(estimated)
Sponsor
University of California, San Diego
ID
NCT07490782
Study Type
Interventional
Participants
Expecting 30 study participants
Last Updated
Contact us about this trial