Khaberni - A recent study led by the University of Sydney has overturned the common belief in the necessity of walking ten thousand steps a day, confirming that just seven thousand steps are enough to achieve significant health benefits, including reducing the risk of early death, heart disease, and dementia.
The study was based on the analysis of data from 57 research studies conducted in more than 10 countries, including Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan, between 2014 and 2025, making it the broadest scientific review of its kind in this field, according to a report published by "Daily Mail".
The health benefits of walking 7 thousand steps
The results showed that walking 7 thousand steps daily reduces the risk of early death by almost half, noticeably decreases the likelihood of developing dementia, and reduces the rates of type 2 diabetes.
Professor Melody Ding, the lead researcher, stated that this figure represents a realistic goal that most people can adhere to, adding that even modest increases in step count offer tangible health benefits.
Dr. Catherine Owen, co-researcher, said that the additional benefits after reaching seven thousand steps were relatively limited, confirming that these results will contribute to updating the national guidelines for physical activity in Australia to make them more realistic and applicable.
Nutrition expert and personal trainer Rachel Atapird confirmed that not only is walking beneficial for overall health, but it also effectively burns fat and improves body shape, noting that one hour of walking can burn about 300 calories. She added that long, slow walks offer substantial health benefits due to what is known as the "fat burning zone," where the body is more capable of using oxygen and converting fats to energy, making it suitable for all ages and with less risk of injury compared to intensive exercises.
