New Study Recommends 7,000 Daily Steps for Optimal Health
New findings suggest that 7,000 daily steps are adequate for health benefits, challenging traditional 10,000-step goals.
Key Points
- • Research suggests walking 7,000 steps daily can reduce health risks.
- • Study involves a meta-analysis of over 16,000 adults.
- • Incremental increases in steps yield health benefits.
- • Emphasizes attainable fitness goals for better public health outcomes.
A recent meta-analysis conducted by researchers, including Dr. Melody Ding from the University of Sydney, has challenged the longstanding recommendation of 10,000 daily steps, suggesting that merely 7,000 steps can significantly reduce the risk of severe health conditions. Published on August 8, 2025, this study compiled data from over 16,000 adults, examining research from 2014 to 2025, and outlines that achieving 7,000 steps daily is associated with a lowered risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and depression.
The findings indicate that even incremental increases in daily step counts can lead to notable health improvements. According to Dr. Ding, ‘Every step counts. Moving from 2,000 to 4,000 steps already improves health significantly,’ highlighting the benefits of even modest physical activities for individuals leading sedentary lifestyles.
Interestingly, the research underscores that health benefits see a sharper increase between the ranges of 4,000 to 7,000 steps than from 7,000 to 10,000, pointing to the need for revised public health guidelines. This shift in perspective encourages more achievable fitness goals and may inspire greater participation in physical activity within the general populace. While aiming for 10,000 steps isn’t entirely dismissed, the emphasis is now on attainable targets that promote overall well-being more effectively.