favicon

T4K3.news

New study shows 7,000 steps daily is enough for health

Research indicates that walking 7,000 steps can significantly reduce risks of serious health conditions.

July 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM
blur 7,000 steps a day could be enough to improve health, say researchers

New research suggests 7,000 steps may offer health benefits similar to the previous 10,000 step target.

7,000 steps a day provides significant health benefits

According to recent studies, walking 7,000 steps a day can substantially lower the risk of serious health issues such as cancer, dementia and cardiovascular disease. This research, published in the Lancet Public Health, analyzed data from over 160,000 adults and found that those achieving this target have a 37% lower risk of dying from cancer. The study disputes the long-held belief that one must walk 10,000 steps daily to gain health advantages. Nonetheless, while more steps correlate with better health outcomes, the researchers highlight that even starting with 4,000 steps can be beneficial compared to being sedentary.

Key Takeaways

✔️
Walking 7,000 steps a day can reduce cancer death risk by 37%.
✔️
Lower step targets may encourage more people to be active.
✔️
4,000 steps can still benefit health compared to no activity.
✔️
Health benefits plateau after 7,000 steps but continue to improve with more.
✔️
Physical activities beyond walking should also be encouraged.
✔️
Public health messages may shift to promote achievable step goals.

"The real-world implications are that people can get health benefits just from small increases in physical activity."

Dr. Daniel Bailey highlights the research's impact on public understanding of health.

"For those of us who are far from achieving the 10,000 targets, getting to 7,000 steps a day offers almost comparable health benefits."

Melody Ding discusses the practicality of aiming for 7,000 steps.

This shift in perspective on daily step counts could encourage more individuals to engage in physical activity. With 7,000 steps proven to yield substantial health benefits, public health messages might focus on achievable goals rather than overwhelming targets. Experts emphasize that even small increases in daily walking can significantly impact overall health. Additionally, it is crucial to recognize that different forms of exercise, such as cycling or swimming, are equally important yet not captured by step counts, suggesting a need for a more nuanced approach to physical activity guidelines.

Highlights

  • Achieving 7,000 daily steps offers impressive health benefits.
  • Small increases in walking can lead to big health rewards.
  • The myth of 10,000 steps has been debunked with real science.
  • Health improvements start with just 1,000 more steps.

Health recommendations may face public backlash

Some individuals may feel discouraged by shorter step goals or misinterpret recommended activity levels as insufficient for health benefits.

Encouraging realistic physical activity targets could transform public health outcomes.

Enjoyed this? Let your friends know!

Related News