8,500 daily steps may be the new secret to keeping weight off after dieting

New research suggests that walking around 8,500 steps a day could help people keep weight off after dieting. The finding challenges the long-held belief that 10,000 steps are needed for health benefits. Scientists from Italy and Lebanon led the study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The 10,000-step target originated as a 1960s marketing slogan by a Japanese pedometer company, not from scientific research. Despite this, it became widely accepted as the daily goal for fitness and weight control.

In the latest study, participants in lifestyle modification programmes increased their daily steps to an average of 8,454 during the weight-loss phase. During this time, they lost about 4.39% of their body weight. When they maintained their activity, they kept off an average of 3.28% of the lost weight. The results also showed that higher step counts were linked to less weight regain, particularly during both the weight-loss and maintenance stages. This supports growing evidence that the benefits of walking start well below the 10,000-step mark. The findings were presented at the European Congress on Obesity, reinforcing the idea that 8,500 steps may be enough for long-term weight management.

The study provides concrete numbers for those aiming to sustain weight loss through walking. Participants who walked around 8,500 steps daily managed to maintain a significant portion of their reduced weight. This challenges the traditional 10,000-step recommendation and offers a more achievable target for many.