Exercise Snacks in Adults Living with Obesity

Individuals with obesity experience chronic low-grade inflammation increasing their risk of cardiometabolic disease. Inflammation is driven by the combination of excess body fat and high blood sugar that often accompanies obesity. Exercise is a powerful tool to lower inflammation and lower blood sugar but many people with obesity are insufficiently active. Exercise “snacks” are an exciting new concept where ~1-2 min bursts of vigorous activity are repeated periodically throughout the day. The approach represents a practical and time-efficient way for individuals with obesity to become more active, improve their blood sugar, and lower inflammation. We will determine if people with obesity can perform exercise snacks in their daily lives and whether exercise snacks can improve inflammatory markers. Eighty people with obesity will be randomly assigned to an Exercise Snacks (3-4 daily “snacks” on 5 days/wk) or a Placebo (stretching/mobility exercises) group. Inflammation, blood sugar control, and fitness will be assessed before and after 12 weeks. We will be the first to determine if exercise snacks can help individuals with obesity overcome barriers to physical activity, reduce inflammation, and improve blood sugar.