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For individuals striving to shed excess weight, the magic number of daily steps might be lower than commonly believed. New research indicates that approximately 8,500 steps per day could be the sweet spot for effective weight loss and maintenance.

The Challenge of Weight Management

Many people struggle with regaining weight after initial loss. According to Marwan El Ghoch, a lead researcher from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy, around 80 percent of individuals with excess weight lose it initially but then put it back on. This highlights the critical need for sustainable and effective strategies to combat obesity.

Unpacking the Research

While increasing daily walking is a frequent recommendation for weight loss programs, the precise number of steps, timing, and purpose have remained unclear. To address this, researchers analyzed data from several clinical trials involving approximately 4,000 participants. Of these, 1,987 individuals participated in lifestyle modification programs that included advice on walking, while 1,771 individuals either followed diets only or received no specific treatment.

Key Findings for Step Count

The study revealed that participants who adopted lifestyle changes and increased their physical activity averaged about 8,454 steps per day by the end of their weight loss phase. This level of activity was associated with an average weight loss of 4.39 percent, equating to roughly 4 kilograms (about 8.8 pounds).

"We need to encourage people to walk up to 8,500 steps a day during the weight loss period and continue this activity during the weight maintenance period," stated El Ghoch. "This will help them not to regain weight."

The Growing Global Concern of Obesity

Obesity is a significant global health issue. The World Obesity Atlas projects that by 2035, 30 percent of the world's population could be living with obesity. This trend is concerning due to its strong links to numerous medical and mental health conditions, placing a substantial financial burden on healthcare systems and leading to broader societal consequences.

Recent studies also indicate that individuals with obesity face a 70 percent higher risk of severe infections, and it's estimated that one in ten deaths from infectious diseases globally may be linked to obesity.

This research was reported by the Infohub.kz information agency.