SnacktivityTM to promote physical activity: A qualitative study

Tyldesley-Marshall, Natalie, Greenfield, Sheila M., Parretti, Helen M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7184-269X, Gokal, Kajal, Greaves, Colin, Jolly, Kate, Maddison, Ralph and Daley, Amanda J. and Snacktivity Study Team (2022) SnacktivityTM to promote physical activity: A qualitative study. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 29 (5). 553–564. ISSN 1070-5503

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Abstract

Background: Adults should achieve a minimum of 150 minutes 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 minutes. Snacktivity is a novel and complementary approach that could motivate people to be physically active. It focuses on promoting shorter (2-5 minutes) 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 five 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.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Funding Information: This research is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (RP-PG-0618–20008). AJD is supported by an NIHR Research Professorship award. KJ and SG are part-funded by NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West Midlands. This publication presents independent research funded by the NIHR.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	interviews,physical activity,qualitative research,small bouts,snacktivity™,applied psychology ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3200/3202
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Public Health and Health Services Research (former - to 2023) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Nutrition and Preventive Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health
Related URLs:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	18 Nov 2021 01:55
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2023 03:08
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/82158
DOI:	10.1007/s12529-021-10040-y

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