8,500 Steps May Be as Effective as 10,000 for Weight Loss, Study Finds
The long-held belief that walking 10,000 steps a day is essential for health may need revisiting. New research suggests that fewer steps—around 8,500—could be just as effective for maintaining weight loss. The study, involving thousands of participants worldwide, challenges the origins of the 10,000-step rule itself. The 10,000-step target first gained popularity in the 1960s, thanks to a Japanese company called Yamasa. Their pedometer, named Manpo-kei (or '10,000 steps meter'), helped embed the number in public consciousness. However, the figure was never grounded in scientific research.
A recent study, published in the *International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health*, tracked 3,758 people across the UK, US, Australia, and Japan. Participants in lifestyle modification programs increased their daily steps to an average of 8,454. This change led to an average weight loss of 4.39%. During the weight-loss maintenance phase, those who averaged 8,241 steps per day kept off around 3.28% of their body weight. Researchers presented these findings at the European Congress on Obesity, reinforcing that consistent walking—even below 10,000 steps—plays a key role in long-term weight control. Scientists also noted that the benefits of walking may level off before reaching 10,000 steps. This suggests that while increasing activity is important, extreme targets might not be necessary for everyone.
The study provides clear evidence that walking around 8,500 steps daily can help people sustain weight loss after dieting. It also highlights how the 10,000-step benchmark originated from marketing rather than medical research. These findings could reshape recommendations for physical activity in the future.
