Walking 7,000 Steps Daily Linked to Significant Reduction in Depression Risk

A global review of over 96,000 participants finds even modest increases in daily steps can improve mental health, with benefits leveling off after 10,000 steps.

A new study published in JAMA Network Open analyzed data from 33 studies involving over 96,000 adults to assess the link between daily step counts and mental health.
Walking as few as 1,000 additional steps daily was associated with a 9% reduction in depression risk, while walking 7,000 steps resulted in a 31% lower likelihood of depression compared to sedentary individuals.
The mental health benefits of walking plateaued at around 10,000 steps per day, with no significant additional improvements beyond this threshold.
Researchers suggest incorporating step count goals, starting at 5,000 steps daily, as an accessible public health strategy to prevent depression.
Experts caution that while the findings show a strong association, more research is needed to establish a causal relationship between walking and reduced depression symptoms.