A new global study has found that walking just 7,000 steps a day can significantly lower your risk of premature death from various serious health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and even depression.
This finding, published in The Lancet Public Health, challenges the long-held notion that 10,000 steps is the gold standard for good health, suggesting that a more attainable daily step count is enough for substantial health benefits.
Analysing data from over 160,000 adults, the study has found that walking approximately 7,000 steps per day reduces the risk of several serious health outcomes, including all-cause mortality (by 47%), cardiovascular disease (by 25%), cancer (by 6%), type 2 diabetes (by 14%), dementia (by 38%), depression (by 22%) and falls (by 28%).
The study highlighted that targeting 7,000 steps per day may be more realistic, compared to the current unofficial 10,000 steps per day — especially for the less active — and can still provide significant improvements in health.
The study team included researchers from the University of Sydney, among other institutes in Australia, the UK, Spain, and Norway.
The study further revealed that even modest step counts of around 4,000 steps a day are linked to better health compared to very low activity, characterised by around 2,000 steps per day.
They, however, cautioned that evidence for conditions, such as cancer and dementia, was supported by a small number of studies, which meant a lower level of certainty for these results.
Many studies also did not account for factors, including age and frailty, which can introduce a bias in the study’s findings, the team said.
Physical inactivity is a silent epidemic. One in three adults globally doesn’t get enough exercise, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The lack of movement is linked to up to 8% of non-communicable diseases, including heart attacks, stroke, and cancer. It also costs billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
ALSO READ: Assamese actor Surabhi Das all set to make Bollywood debut as Urmila in ‘Ramayana’
Walking is one of the simplest and most accessible forms of activity. You don’t need a gym membership or fancy equipment. Just a comfortable pair of shoes and the intention to move more throughout the day.
