The latest research shows that improving diet and increasing physical activity are lifestyle changes that are as effective as psychotherapy in treating mild depression. A groundbreaking trial in Australia indicates that this combination of nutrition and exercise can produce effects equivalent to treatments provided by psychologists.
Currently, about 3.2 million Australians are struggling with depression. Meanwhile, many people fail to meet the recommended dietary or physical activity standards. Recent studies have revealed a significant connection between the two.
In this first global trial led by the Food and Emotion Centre at Deakin University, researchers found that improving diet and increasing physical activity can effectively alleviate mild depressive symptoms. The findings were published this week, offering a potential solution against the backdrop of a national shortage of mental health professionals.
How was the research conducted?
The trial was conducted in Victoria during the COVID-19 lockdown when local residents experienced high levels of stress, and face-to-face mental health services were limited. The subjects of the trial included 182 Victoria residents who exhibited varying degrees of depressive symptoms but were not necessarily diagnosed with depression or other mental disorders. Typical symptoms among these participants included low mood, hopelessness, irritability, or crying spells.
Researchers collaborated with local mental health service providers to offer an eight-week online group program via Zoom, held once a week. These sessions were led by health professionals, and participants were randomly divided into two groups.
One group participated in a lifestyle improvement program co-facilitated by registered dietitians and exercise physiologists. This group set nutrition and exercise goals, including:
Eating a variety of foods
Choosing high-fiber plant-based foods
Consuming high-quality fats
Limiting the intake of high saturated fats and added sugars
Engaging in enjoyable physical activities
The other group of participants received psychotherapy led by two psychologists, utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is currently the gold standard treatment for depression, particularly effective for group therapy and remote treatment.
Significant effects of lifestyle therapy
Results showed that depressive symptoms improved in both groups. Participants self-reported their mental health scores at the beginning and end of the trial. After eight weeks, depressive symptoms in the lifestyle improvement group decreased by 42%, while symptoms in the psychotherapy group decreased by 37%. This difference was not statistically significant, indicating comparable effectiveness between the two treatment methods.
Additionally, some subtle differences were observed between the two groups. Participants in the lifestyle improvement group showed improvements in their diet, while those in the psychotherapy group felt an increase in their social support, suggesting they felt more connected to others compared to the beginning of the treatment.
Surprisingly, activity levels increased for both groups. This was expected for the lifestyle improvement group, but the change in the psychotherapy group may have occurred because participants were aware they were part of a lifestyle study, unconsciously altering their activity patterns, or it could be a positive byproduct of the psychotherapy.
In terms of cost, the lifestyle improvement program cost AUD 482 per participant, slightly lower than the AUD 503 for psychotherapy. This is because the hourly rates for dietitians and exercise physiologists are lower than those for psychologists.
A potential solution to address the shortage of mental health professionals
Demand for mental health services in Australia is increasing, while the nationwide shortage of mental health professionals is worsening. Psychologists provide about half of mental health services, but due to high demand, wait times are long.
The results of this study suggest that, with appropriate training and guidance, health professionals focused on diet and exercise (such as dietitians and exercise physiologists) could help fill this gap. Lifestyle therapy can be combined with psychotherapy to provide multidisciplinary care, but for those who have not received other professional support while waiting for psychologist treatment, diet and…
