Overview

• The Lancet Public Health meta-analysis pooled data from over 160,000 adults across 57 studies using pedometers and fitness trackers
• Walking 7,000 steps per day was linked to a 25% lower risk of heart disease, a 14% reduction in type 2 diabetes, a 38% drop in dementia risk and a 22% decrease in depression
• Compared with 2,000 steps, achieving 7,000 steps corresponded to a 47% reduction in all-cause mortality and a 37% lower cancer death rate
• Researchers observed incremental risk reductions for each extra 1,000 steps up to 12,000 daily steps, with most gains plateauing around 7,000
• The long-standing 10,000-step target originated as a 1960s Japanese pedometer marketing concept and is now being replaced by a more attainable 7,000-step recommendation as guidelines are updated