(P13-002-25) Effect of a Mediterranean-Style Diet Educational Intervention on Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in College Students: A Randomized Trial

Objectives: Adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MD) is linked to improved health and mental well-being.

Objective: To determine the effect of an 8-week MD educational intervention on mental health symptoms in college students.

Methods: College students (N=217, 79% female, 42% White) provided informed consent and were randomized to one of two groups: intervention and education (I&E; N=107) or education-only (E; N=110), both received an 8-week educational program focused on managing stress and mental health symptoms. The I&E group also received education on a MD pattern. Pre and post-intervention, participants completed the MD index (KIDMED) to assess MD adherence; the Diet History Questionnaire III to evaluate diet quality and calculate the Healthy Eating Index (HEI); and assessment of their skin carotenoid status (SCS), an objective measure of fruit/vegetable intake, via reflection spectroscopy. Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Perceived Stress Scale, respectively. Mixed model analysis was conducted to assess the interventions’ effects on mental health symptoms within and between groups.

Results: At baseline, 43% of participants exhibited low adherence to MD, while only 10% exhibited high adherence, and mean HEI and SCS scores were 61.9±11.6 and 345±107.8, respectively. After 8 weeks, the I&E group showed a significant improvement in MD adherence, HEI (P’s < .0001), and SCS (P=0.009) from baseline. Between groups, significant changes in MD adherence and HEI were also observed (P < .0001, P=0.001, respectively). Depression and anxiety symptoms decreased significantly in both groups (P’s < .0001 for I&E, P=0.006 and P=0.002 for E, respectively). Stress symptoms improved but only within the I&E group (P=0.01). A significant between-group change was observed for anxiety symptoms (P=0.027).

Conclusions: These results suggest that short interventions that concurrently promote adherence to a MD along with strategies to manage mental health symptoms may be more effective than interventions that address mental health symptoms alone. College administrators should consider a similar approach to promote mental well-being among college students.

Funding Sources: University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and the CA Walnut Commission