A new study published in The Lancet Public Health journal has found that taking at least 7,000 steps per day can significantly lower the risk of various health issues, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia, depression, and cancer.
Researchers analyzed data from over 160,000 people across 31 studies and discovered that even modest step counts – around 4,000 per day – had better health outcomes than those with sedentary lives. The benefits of walking were found to taper off after about 7,000 steps per day.
The study’s findings debunk the long-held notion that 10,000 steps per day is the optimal target for good health. Instead, getting 7,000 steps daily was linked to a lower risk of falls, with an associated 28% decline in this population.
According to Dr. Daniel Bailey, a reader in sedentary behavior and health at Brunel University of London, “the real-world implications are that people can get health benefits just from small increases in physical activity.” The study suggests that even small increments in step count, such as an extra 1,000 steps per day, can have a positive impact on overall health.
While the report has some limitations, researchers and experts welcome the findings. Steven Harridge, professor of human and applied physiology at King’s College London, stated that “physical activity is vitally important for health” and noted that anything encouraging people to be more active is beneficial for both physical and mental wellbeing.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/health/2025/07/24/how-many-daily-steps-do-you-need-to-boost-health-its-not-10000-new-study-says