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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Oct;32(5):702-716.
doi: 10.1007/s12529-025-10352-3. Epub 2025 Feb 24.

Snacktivity™ to Promote Physical Activity in Primary Care, Community Health and Public Health Settings: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial

Amanda J Daley  1 , Ryan A Griffin  2 , James P Sanders  3 , Kajal Gokal  3 , Natalie Ives  2 , Magdalena Skrybant  4 , Helen M Parretti  5 , Charlotte L Edwardson  6 , Stuart J H Biddle  7   8 , Kate Jolly  4 , Colin J Greaves  9 , Sheila M Greenfield  4 , Ralph Maddison  10 , Dale W Esliger  11   12 , Lauren B Sherar  11 , Emma Frew  13 , Nanette Mutrie  14 , Ben Maylor  6 , Tom Yates  6 , Sarah Tearne  2 , Catherine A Moakes  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Snacktivity™ to Promote Physical Activity in Primary Care, Community Health and Public Health Settings: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial

Amanda J Daley et al. Int J Behav Med. 2025 Oct.

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.

Keywords: Health; Physical activity; Randomised feasibility trial; Short bouts; Snacktivity™.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics Approval: The study was granted favourable ethical opinion by West Midlands – Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee reference number: 20/WM/0315. All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed Consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Traffic light stop–go criteria
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Participant flow
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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