A 15-minute walk can cut snacking on chocolate at work by half, according to research by the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.

The study showed that, even in stressful situations, workers eat only half as much chocolate as they normally would after this short burst of physical activity.

Published in the journal Appetite, the research suggests that employees may find that short breaks away from their desks can help keep their minds off snacking.

"We know that snacking on high-calorie foods, like chocolate, at work can become a mindless habit and can lead to weight gain over time," says the study's lead researcher, Adrian Taylor, of the University of Exeter.

"People often find it difficult to cut down on their daily treats but this study shows that by taking a short walk, they are able to regulate their intake by half."