A recent large study published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet Public Health suggests a reevaluation of traditional views on the number of daily steps necessary for health. This was reported by Upl.uz.
According to the conclusions of an international group of scientists, walking 7,000 steps a day is sufficient to gain significant health benefits, rather than the commonly cited 10,000 steps. This conclusion is based on a meta-analysis of data from over 160,000 people participating in 31 studies.
The analyses showed that individuals who walk approximately 7,000 steps a day have a significantly reduced risk level for health indicators. For example, their risk of developing dementia decreases by 38 percent, and the likelihood of falling among older adults decreases by 28 percent.
Additionally, a 6 percent reduction in the likelihood of developing certain types of cancer has been noted. Walking 7,000 steps daily also helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, depression, and type 2 diabetes.
The researchers emphasized that even walking 4,000 steps a day represents a significant improvement compared to a sedentary lifestyle. However, according to the analysis results, the greatest positive effect is observed specifically at 7,000 steps.
Increasing the number of steps beyond this does not lead to statistically significant additional improvements in health status. The authors of the study highlight that the new goal of 7,000 steps is more realistic and achievable compared to the previously popular 10,000 steps.
The previous figure was found to lack scientific basis, having emerged during a marketing campaign in Japan in the 1960s. The reevaluation of daily step counts is expected to encourage more people to increase their physical activity.
In Uzbekistan, considering that a large portion of the population leads a sedentary lifestyle, such conclusions are particularly relevant. Initiatives aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle, such as creating a "Physical Activity Rating for the Population," could serve to improve the nation's health.
The "10,000 steps a day" concept became popular in Japan before the 1965 Tokyo Olympics. This figure is derived from the name of a pedometer device called "Manpo-kei," which means "10,000 steps counter."
