A major study published in the Lancet Public Health indicates that walking 7,000 steps daily is associated with a reduced risk of cancer, dementia, and heart disease. Researchers analyzed data from over 160,000 adults worldwide, comparing step counts to health outcomes. The study challenges the commonly held belief that 10,000 steps are necessary, tracing the 10,000-step goal to a 1960s Japanese marketing campaign. Lead author Dr. Melody Ding notes that while 10,000 steps may be suitable for some, 7,000 is a more realistic and achievable target for many. Experts agree that while "more is always better," focusing on a specific step count shouldn't cause undue stress. The study suggests that even 4,000 steps offer health benefits compared to 2,000.

The findings could encourage more people to adopt step counting as a practical way to improve their health. However, the researchers acknowledge potential inaccuracies in some data due to limited studies in certain areas.