Views of the public about Snacktivity™: a small changes approach to promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour

Gokal, K., Amos-Hirst, R., Moakes, C. A., Sanders, J. P., Esliger, D. W., Sherar, L. B., Ives, N., Biddle, S. J. H., Edwardson, C., Yates, T., Frew, E., Greaves, C., Greenfield, S. M., Jolly, K., Skrybant, M., Maddison, R., Mutrie, N., Parretti, H. M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7184-269X and Daley, A. J. (2022) Views of the public about Snacktivity™: a small changes approach to promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour. BMC Public Health, 22 (1). ISSN 1471-2458

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Abstract

Background: Many people do not meet the recommended health guidance of participation in a minimum of 150–300 min of moderate intensity physical activity per week, often promoted as at least 30 min of physical activity on 5 days of the week. This is concerning and highlights the importance of finding innovative ways to help people to be physically active each day. Snacktivity™ is a novel approach that aims to encourage people to do small, 2–5 min bouts of physical activity ‘snacks’ throughout the whole day, such that they achieve at least 150 min of moderate intensity activity per week. However, before it can be recommended, there is a need to explore whether the concept is acceptable to the public. Methods: A survey to assess the views of the public about Snacktivity™ was distributed to adult patients registered at six general practices in the West Midlands, UK and to health care employees in the same region. Results: A total of 5989 surveys were sent to patients, of which 558 were returned (9.3%). A further 166 surveys were completed by health care employees. A total of 85% of respondents liked the Snacktivity™ concept. The flexibility of the approach was highly rated. A high proportion of participants (61%) reported that the ability to self-monitor their behaviour would help them to do Snacktivity™ throughout their day. Physically inactive participants perceived that Snacktivity™ would help to increase their physical activity, more than those who were physically active (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.25–0.67). Approximately 90% of respondents perceived that Snacktivity™ was easy to do on a non-working day compared to 60% on a working day. Aerobic activity ‘snacks’ were preferred to those which were strength based. Conclusions: The Snacktivity™ approach to promoting physical activity was viewed positively by the public and interventions to test the merits of such an approach now need to be developed and tested in a variety of everyday contexts.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). AJD is supported by an NIHR Research Professorship award. This publication presents independent research funded by the NIHR. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. This work uses data provided by patients and staff, collected by the NHS as part of their care and support and would not have been possible without access to these data.
Uncontrolled Keywords: health behaviour change,health messaging,physical activity,small bouts,snacktivity™,survey,public health, environmental and occupational health ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2739
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging
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 Groups > Nutrition and Preventive Medicine
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health
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Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 31 Mar 2022 11:30
Last Modified: 19 Oct 2023 03:18
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/84398
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13050-x

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