posted on 2021-11-30, 12:07authored byNatalie Tyldesley-Marshall, Sheila M. Greenfield, Helen M. Parretti, Kajal Gokal, Colin Greaves, Kate Jolly, Ralph Maddison, Amanda DaleyAmanda Daley, Snacktivity™ Study Team
Supplementary Information Files for Snacktivity™ to promote physical activity: a qualitative study Background Adults should achieve a minimum of 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity per week,
but many people do not achieve this. Changes to international guidance have removed the requirement to complete physical
activity in bouts of at least 10 min. Snacktivity is a novel and complementary approach that could motivate people to be physically active. It focuses on promoting shorter (2–5 min) and more frequent bouts, or ‘snacks’ of physical activity throughout
the day. It is not known whether promoting physical activity in shorter bouts is acceptable to the public, or whether it likely
to translate into health behaviour change.
Methods As part of a larger research programme, this study explored the merits of using small bouts of physical activity
to help the public become physically active (the Snacktivity™ programme). Thirty-one inactive adults used the approach
for fve days then participated in semi- structured interviews about their experiences. The data were analysed using the
Framework approach.
Results Whilst participants highlighted some potential barriers to implementation, they expressed the ease with which
Snacktivity could be achieved, which gave them a new awareness of opportunities to do more physical activity throughout
the day. Participants raised the importance of habit formation to achieve regular small bouts of physical activity.
Conclusions Findings demonstrated that participants liked the Snacktivity concept and viewed it as a motivating approach.
Guidance about physical activity must lead to advice that has the best chance of preserving and promoting health and Snacktivity has potential to meet this ambition.
Funding
National Institute for Health Research (RP-PG-0618–20008)
NIHR Research Professorship award
NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West Midlands