A major study published in The Lancet Public Health suggests that walking 7,000 steps daily significantly reduces risks of cancer, dementia, heart disease, and depression. This more achievable goal, compared to the often-cited 10,000 steps, is linked to a 25% lower cardiovascular disease risk, a 6% lower cancer risk, a 38% lower dementia risk, and a 22% lower depression risk. Researchers analyzed data from over 160,000 adults globally. While the 10,000-step target originated from a 1960s marketing campaign, this research suggests even 4,000 steps offer health benefits compared to 2,000.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.