Mood And Kids diEt (MAKE-It) Pilot Trial

Mood And Kids diEt (MAKE-It): A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial for a Personalized Dietary Intervention for Adolescents With Depression

This study is being done to examine the feasibility, including recruitment, retention and acceptability of a randomized controlled trial of a personalized dietary intervention in adolescents with depression. Evidence suggests that dietary quality may affect an individual's mood. A healthy diet includes vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, as well as minimally processed whole grains, legumes, and moderate amounts of lean meat, fish, and dairy.

The investigators will examine the feasibility of testing a personalized nutrition eating plan in a study that uses a randomized controlled trial design for children and youth with depression.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of MDD
• Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CESD-C) score ≥ 25 at baseline
• access to the internet and a computer or smart phone
• presence of a parent who is willing to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

• adherent to a high-quality diet at baseline
• presence of an eating disorder
• currently participating in other dietary programs or studies
• actively attempting to increase or decrease body weight;
• presence of a chronic medical condition;
• unstable psychiatric condition (e.g., mania, active suicidal ideation)