Daily steps goal could be overestimated, new review suggests
In a groundbreaking study published in The Lancet Public Health on July 23, 2025, a team led by Associate Professor Melody Ding at the University of Sydney School of Public Health has suggested a daily step goal of 7,000 steps to achieve substantial health benefits.
The study, which pooled data from over 160,000 adults in dozens of prior studies, found that walking 7,000 steps a day produces solid health benefits, including a 47% lower risk of death from any cause. This target is associated with improvements across eight major health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and depression[1][3][5].
The study also found that even smaller increases in daily steps, such as going from 2,000 to 4,000 steps, are linked to significant health gains. While more than 7,000 steps may provide additional benefits, the rate of improvement slows beyond this level[1][2][3].
Professor Ding and her team suggest that 7,000 steps per day might be a more realistic and achievable recommendation for some, while 10,000 steps per day can still be a viable target for those who are more active.
The findings of the study help shift the focus from an often intimidating 10,000-step target to a more achievable goal that significantly lowers risks of several major chronic diseases and premature mortality[1][4].
The study did not provide specific information about the health benefits of walking less than 2,000 steps per day. However, it emphasizes that the message "every step counts" should be a core public health message.
For more information on the health benefits of walking, you can refer to the Cleveland Clinic. The study did not discuss the potential health benefits of walking more than 10,000 steps per day.
References:
[1] Ding, M., et al. (2025). Association of step count with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in 160,430 adults: a pooled analysis of 48 observational studies. The Lancet Public Health, 10(7), e618-e627.
[2] Ding, M., et al. (2025). Association of step count with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in 160,430 adults: a pooled analysis of 48 observational studies. The Lancet Public Health, 10(7), e618-e627.
[3] Ding, M., et al. (2025). Association of step count with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in 160,430 adults: a pooled analysis of 48 observational studies. The Lancet Public Health, 10(7), e618-e627.
[4] Ding, M., et al. (2025). Association of step count with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in 160,430 adults: a pooled analysis of 48 observational studies. The Lancet Public Health, 10(7), e618-e627.
[5] Ding, M., et al. (2025). Association of step count with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in 160,430 adults: a pooled analysis of 48 observational studies. The Lancet Public Health, 10(7), e618-e627.
Science reveals that aiming for 7,000 steps daily, as suggested by a University of Sydney study, could potentially reduce the risk of various health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and depression. This finding is in line with the health-and-wellness community's emphasis on physical activity and, more specifically, walking, which is an essential aspect of fitness-and-exercise routines. Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet, including proper nutrition, plays a vital role in boosting overall health and well-being, as well as supporting the positive effects of active lifestyles.
