Loughborough University researchers propose ‘Snacktivity’ for pregnant women

Researchers at Loughborough University have explored a new approach to pregnancy fitness called ‘Snacktivity’. This method encourages pregnant women to engage in short bursts of movement, lasting two to five minutes, multiple times throughout the day, rather than attempting to complete a single 30-minute exercise session.

The goal is to help women reach the recommended 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. Data shows that only 32% of women meet this recommendation at the start of pregnancy, a figure that drops to 12% by the end. In a feasibility study, women using an app and wearable device to track short activities were, on average, 16 minutes more active per day and sat for 20 minutes less than those receiving standard care.

While the study noted potential benefits—such as an average weight gain reduction of 0.8 kilograms and lower scores on depression and fatigue scales—researchers emphasized that this was a feasibility study and the differences between groups were not statistically confirmed. Popular activities included climbing stairs, walking in parks, and performing household chores.