Depression: can diet and exercise be as effective as therapy?

Adopting a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet and regular physical activity could be as effective as psychotherapy in treating mild depression. This was demonstrated by Australian researchers in a recent study, highlighting a potentially easily accessible alternative.


In their study, the researchers compared two approaches to treating mild depression. They recruited 182 adults living in Australia, all experiencing depressive symptoms. Half of the participants underwent cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a widely used method for treating depression. The other half participated in a lifestyle improvement program, supervised by a dietician and an exercise physiologist.

Participants in the lifestyle program were encouraged to adopt a varied diet, rich in fiber and quality fats, while limiting foods high in saturated fats and added sugars. They were also motivated to engage in enjoyable regular physical activity. At the end of the study, results showed a 42% reduction in depressive symptoms in this group, a result comparable to the 37% reduction observed in the CBT group.

Although both approaches proved equally effective, some differences were noted. Participants in the lifestyle program improved their diet, while those who underwent CBT reported better social support. Additionally, all participants increased their physical activity levels, including those following CBT, which could be attributed to heightened awareness due to their participation in the study.

The implications of these findings are significant. In a context where the demand for mental health services continues to rise, these lifestyle-based interventions could offer an effective and lower-cost alternative to traditional therapies. They could also represent a complementary option for those waiting for consultations with a psychologist or those hesitant to start psychotherapy. Researchers are currently continuing their work to assess these results in individuals with major depression or bipolar disorder.