Snacktivity™ to promote physical activity in primary care, community health and public health settings: A feasibility randomised controlled trial

Amanda J. Daley; Ryan A. Griffin; James P. Sanders; Kajal Gokal; Natalie Ives; Magdalena Skrybant; Helen M. Parretti; Charlotte L. Edwardson; Stuart J. H. Biddle; Kate Jolly; Colin J. Greaves; Sheila M. Greenfield; Ralph Maddison; Dale W. Elsinger; Lauren B. Sherar; Emma Frew; Nanette Mutrie; Ben Maylor; Tom Yates; Sarah Tearne; Catherine A. Moakes

doi:10.1007/s12529-025-10352-3

Snacktivity™ to promote physical activity in primary care, community health and public health settings: A feasibility randomised controlled trial

Amanda J. Daley (Lead Author), Ryan A. Griffin, James P. Sanders, Kajal Gokal, Natalie Ives, Magdalena Skrybant, Helen M. Parretti, Charlotte L. Edwardson, Stuart J. H. Biddle, Kate Jolly, Colin J. Greaves, Sheila M. Greenfield, Ralph Maddison, Dale W. Elsinger, Lauren B. Sherar, Emma Frew, Nanette Mutrie, Ben Maylor, Tom Yates, Sarah TearneCatherine A. Moakes

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background: A novel ‘whole day’ approach that could motivate the public to be more physically active is Snacktivity™. The Snacktivity™ approach encourages individuals to accumulate 150 min of physical activity in short 2–5-min ‘snacks’ of moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) throughout the day/week.
Method: A randomised controlled trial to assess the feasibility/acceptability of a Snacktivity™ intervention and trial processes was conducted. The trial aimed to recruit 80 physically inactive adults from healthcare services and via social media.
Participants were randomised to the Snacktivity™ intervention or usual care and followed up at 12 weeks. The intervention was predominately delivered by health professionals within consultations. Assessment of whether the Snacktivity™
intervention and trial methods were acceptable to participants, adherence to Snacktivity™ (assessed by Fitbit) and physical activity (assessed by accelerometer), and retention were considered according to traffic light stop-go progression criteria (green-amber-red).
Results: Seventy-two participants (n = 37 Snacktivity™ intervention; n = 35 usual care) were recruited across 14 months (72/80, 90%, (green) 95% CI: 83% to 97%). Snacktivity™ adherence was achieved in 12/37 participants (32%, (red) 95%
CI: 17% to 48%). Physical activity adherence was achieved in 17/37 participants (46%, (amber) 95% CI: 30% to 62%). Seven participants (10%, (green) 95% CI: 3% to 17%) withdrew from follow-up and 25/72 (35%, (amber) 95% CI: 24% to 46%)
had no accelerometer data at follow-up (retention).
Conclusion: The Snacktivity™ intervention may be feasible and acceptable to implement. Findings can inform subsequent research that seeks to investigate whether Snacktivity™ based approaches are effective in promoting physical activity in the population.
Trial Registration: ISRCTN: 64851242. Registration date: 31/01/21.

Original language	English
Journal	International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Early online date	24 Feb 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-025-10352-3
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 24 Feb 2025

Keywords

Health
Physical activity
Randomised feasibility trial
Short bouts
Snacktivity™

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Daley, A. J., Griffin, R. A., Sanders, J. P., Gokal, K., Ives, N., Skrybant, M., Parretti, H. M., Edwardson, C. L., Biddle, S. J. H., Jolly, K., Greaves, C. J., Greenfield, S. M., Maddison, R., Elsinger, D. W., Sherar, L. B., Frew, E., Mutrie, N., Maylor, B., Yates, T., ... Moakes, C. A. (2025). Snacktivity™ to promote physical activity in primary care, community health and public health settings: A feasibility randomised controlled trial. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-025-10352-3

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title = "Snacktivity{\texttrademark} to promote physical activity in primary care, community health and public health settings: A feasibility randomised controlled trial",

abstract = "Background: A novel {\textquoteleft}whole day{\textquoteright} approach that could motivate the public to be more physically active is Snacktivity{\texttrademark}. The Snacktivity{\texttrademark} approach encourages individuals to accumulate 150 min of physical activity in short 2–5-min {\textquoteleft}snacks{\textquoteright} of moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) throughout the day/week. Method: A randomised controlled trial to assess the feasibility/acceptability of a Snacktivity{\texttrademark} intervention and trial processes was conducted. The trial aimed to recruit 80 physically inactive adults from healthcare services and via social media. Participants were randomised to the Snacktivity{\texttrademark} intervention or usual care and followed up at 12 weeks. The intervention was predominately delivered by health professionals within consultations. Assessment of whether the Snacktivity{\texttrademark}intervention and trial methods were acceptable to participants, adherence to Snacktivity{\texttrademark} (assessed by Fitbit) and physical activity (assessed by accelerometer), and retention were considered according to traffic light stop-go progression criteria (green-amber-red). Results: Seventy-two participants (n = 37 Snacktivity{\texttrademark} intervention; n = 35 usual care) were recruited across 14 months (72/80, 90%, (green) 95% CI: 83% to 97%). Snacktivity{\texttrademark} adherence was achieved in 12/37 participants (32%, (red) 95%CI: 17% to 48%). Physical activity adherence was achieved in 17/37 participants (46%, (amber) 95% CI: 30% to 62%). Seven participants (10%, (green) 95% CI: 3% to 17%) withdrew from follow-up and 25/72 (35%, (amber) 95% CI: 24% to 46%)had no accelerometer data at follow-up (retention). Conclusion: The Snacktivity{\texttrademark} intervention may be feasible and acceptable to implement. Findings can inform subsequent research that seeks to investigate whether Snacktivity{\texttrademark} based approaches are effective in promoting physical activity in the population. Trial Registration: ISRCTN: 64851242. Registration date: 31/01/21.",

keywords = "Health, Physical activity, Randomised feasibility trial, Short bouts, Snacktivity{\texttrademark}",

author = "Daley, {Amanda J.} and Griffin, {Ryan A.} and Sanders, {James P.} and Kajal Gokal and Natalie Ives and Magdalena Skrybant and Parretti, {Helen M.} and Edwardson, {Charlotte L.} and Biddle, {Stuart J. H.} and Kate Jolly and Greaves, {Colin J.} and Greenfield, {Sheila M.} and Ralph Maddison and Elsinger, {Dale W.} and Sherar, {Lauren B.} and Emma Frew and Nanette Mutrie and Ben Maylor and Tom Yates and Sarah Tearne and Moakes, {Catherine A.}",

year = "2025",

month = feb,

day = "24",

doi = "10.1007/s12529-025-10352-3",

language = "English",

journal = "International Journal of Behavioral Medicine",

issn = "1070-5503",

publisher = "Routledge",

}

Daley, AJ, Griffin, RA, Sanders, JP, Gokal, K, Ives, N, Skrybant, M, Parretti, HM, Edwardson, CL, Biddle, SJH, Jolly, K, Greaves, CJ, Greenfield, SM, Maddison, R, Elsinger, DW, Sherar, LB, Frew, E, Mutrie, N, Maylor, B, Yates, T, Tearne, S & Moakes, CA 2025, 'Snacktivity™ to promote physical activity in primary care, community health and public health settings: A feasibility randomised controlled trial', International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-025-10352-3

TY - JOUR

T1 - Snacktivity™ to promote physical activity in primary care, community health and public health settings: A feasibility randomised controlled trial

AU - Daley, Amanda J.

AU - Griffin, Ryan A.

AU - Sanders, James P.

AU - Gokal, Kajal

AU - Ives, Natalie

AU - Skrybant, Magdalena

AU - Parretti, Helen M.

AU - Edwardson, Charlotte L.

AU - Biddle, Stuart J. H.

AU - Jolly, Kate

AU - Greaves, Colin J.

AU - Greenfield, Sheila M.

AU - Maddison, Ralph

AU - Elsinger, Dale W.

AU - Sherar, Lauren B.

AU - Frew, Emma

AU - Mutrie, Nanette

AU - Maylor, Ben

AU - Yates, Tom

AU - Tearne, Sarah

AU - Moakes, Catherine A.

PY - 2025/2/24

Y1 - 2025/2/24

N2 - Background: A novel ‘whole day’ approach that could motivate the public to be more physically active is Snacktivity™. The Snacktivity™ approach encourages individuals to accumulate 150 min of physical activity in short 2–5-min ‘snacks’ of moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) throughout the day/week. Method: A randomised controlled trial to assess the feasibility/acceptability of a Snacktivity™ intervention and trial processes was conducted. The trial aimed to recruit 80 physically inactive adults from healthcare services and via social media. Participants were randomised to the Snacktivity™ intervention or usual care and followed up at 12 weeks. The intervention was predominately delivered by health professionals within consultations. Assessment of whether the Snacktivity™intervention and trial methods were acceptable to participants, adherence to Snacktivity™ (assessed by Fitbit) and physical activity (assessed by accelerometer), and retention were considered according to traffic light stop-go progression criteria (green-amber-red). Results: Seventy-two participants (n = 37 Snacktivity™ intervention; n = 35 usual care) were recruited across 14 months (72/80, 90%, (green) 95% CI: 83% to 97%). Snacktivity™ adherence was achieved in 12/37 participants (32%, (red) 95%CI: 17% to 48%). Physical activity adherence was achieved in 17/37 participants (46%, (amber) 95% CI: 30% to 62%). Seven participants (10%, (green) 95% CI: 3% to 17%) withdrew from follow-up and 25/72 (35%, (amber) 95% CI: 24% to 46%)had no accelerometer data at follow-up (retention). Conclusion: The Snacktivity™ intervention may be feasible and acceptable to implement. Findings can inform subsequent research that seeks to investigate whether Snacktivity™ based approaches are effective in promoting physical activity in the population. Trial Registration: ISRCTN: 64851242. Registration date: 31/01/21.

AB - Background: A novel ‘whole day’ approach that could motivate the public to be more physically active is Snacktivity™. The Snacktivity™ approach encourages individuals to accumulate 150 min of physical activity in short 2–5-min ‘snacks’ of moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) throughout the day/week. Method: A randomised controlled trial to assess the feasibility/acceptability of a Snacktivity™ intervention and trial processes was conducted. The trial aimed to recruit 80 physically inactive adults from healthcare services and via social media. Participants were randomised to the Snacktivity™ intervention or usual care and followed up at 12 weeks. The intervention was predominately delivered by health professionals within consultations. Assessment of whether the Snacktivity™intervention and trial methods were acceptable to participants, adherence to Snacktivity™ (assessed by Fitbit) and physical activity (assessed by accelerometer), and retention were considered according to traffic light stop-go progression criteria (green-amber-red). Results: Seventy-two participants (n = 37 Snacktivity™ intervention; n = 35 usual care) were recruited across 14 months (72/80, 90%, (green) 95% CI: 83% to 97%). Snacktivity™ adherence was achieved in 12/37 participants (32%, (red) 95%CI: 17% to 48%). Physical activity adherence was achieved in 17/37 participants (46%, (amber) 95% CI: 30% to 62%). Seven participants (10%, (green) 95% CI: 3% to 17%) withdrew from follow-up and 25/72 (35%, (amber) 95% CI: 24% to 46%)had no accelerometer data at follow-up (retention). Conclusion: The Snacktivity™ intervention may be feasible and acceptable to implement. Findings can inform subsequent research that seeks to investigate whether Snacktivity™ based approaches are effective in promoting physical activity in the population. Trial Registration: ISRCTN: 64851242. Registration date: 31/01/21.

KW - Health

KW - Physical activity

KW - Randomised feasibility trial

KW - Short bouts

KW - Snacktivity™

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85219198907&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s12529-025-10352-3

DO - 10.1007/s12529-025-10352-3

M3 - Article

SN - 1070-5503

JO - International Journal of Behavioral Medicine

JF - International Journal of Behavioral Medicine

ER -

Snacktivity™ to promote physical activity in primary care, community health and public health settings: A feasibility randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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