Insights into Non-Exercise Physical Activity on Control of Body Mass: A Review with Practical Recommendations

Abstract

Non-exercise physical activity (NEPA), also called unstructured or informal physical activity, refers to those daily activities that require movement of the human body without planning or strict control of the physical effort made. Due to new technologies and motorized transportation devices, the general population has significantly decreased its NEPA. This increase in sedentary lifestyles, physical inactivity, and excessive energy intake is considered a risk factor for obesity, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and all-cause mortality. Searching in PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science databases, a narrative review of NEPA was carried out to address its conceptualization, promotion strategies for the general population, and monitoring through wearable devices. It is strongly recommended that governmental entities, health practitioners, and the construction industry adhere to "The Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030: More Active People for a Healthier World" and implement different salutogenic urban strategies. These strategies aim to generate environments that motivate increases in NEPA, such as cycling and walking transportation (between 5000-12,500 steps per day), and the progression to physical exercise. There is a wide variety of electronic devices for personal use, such as accelerometers, smartphone apps, or "smart clothes", that allow for the monitoring of NEPA, some with a wide range of analysis variables contributing to the estimation of total daily energy expenditure and the promotion of healthy habits. In general, the further promotion and monitoring of NEPA is required as part of a strategy to promote healthy habits sustainable over time for the prevention and control of obesity and NCDs.

Keywords: activity trackers; non-communicable diseases; physical inactivity; sedentary behavior.

Figure 1

Associations of sitting time, television viewing time, and physical activity with all-cause mortality. (A) Analysis of sitting time (n = 1,005,791) and (B) television viewing time (n = 465,450) as well as their relationship to physical activity levels and mortality risk [29].

Figure 2

Effects when moving from high to low levels of physical activity, including significant reductions in NEPA. Source: designed by the authors (D.A.B.) based on published materials [46].