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Promoting healthy nutritional habits by paradigmatic behavior therapy
1Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 53201.
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
|December 1, 1991
Summary
Behavior therapy improved nutritional habits in a depressed patient, increasing fruit and vegetable intake while reducing sugar consumption. These positive changes in diet and mood were sustained for five months.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Nutritional Psychiatry
Background:
- Maladaptive eating patterns are common in depression.
- Behavioral interventions can modify habits.
- Dietary changes may impact mood.
Observation:
- A 41-year-old female patient with depression exhibited poor nutritional habits.
- Self-monitoring of diet, mood, and cognitions was implemented.
- Processed sugar intake was high, while fruit and vegetable intake was low.
Findings:
- Behavioral therapy, including contingency contracting and positive affect induction, was applied.
- The intervention successfully increased fruit and vegetable consumption.
- Processed sugar intake significantly decreased.
- The patient reported reduced tension and depression.
- Positive outcomes were maintained at a 5-month follow-up.
Implications:
- Behavioral interventions show promise for treating nutritional issues in depression.
- Dietary modification can be a viable adjunct therapy for mood disorders.
- Long-term maintenance of behavioral changes is achievable.