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Nutritional Intervention for College Students With Depression

Who can join

Ages 18 and older · All sexes

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

About the study

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

What is being tested

• Mediterranean Diet (behavioral)
• Time-Restricted Eating (behavioral)

Sponsor: University of California, San Diego · Participants: 30 · Started: 2026-03

Contact the study team

• Michael J McCarthy · Phone: 858-534-8070

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07490782

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 1, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.