07/23/2025
The headline of the online Primary Care journal, MEDPAGE TODAY, read “10,000 Daily Step Count Goal Debunked by Huge Study”.
“Awww, Geez.” I said. “Are you kidding me?” As you know I always research and vet information before I share it with you and my clients. However, as research continues, sometimes the narrative changes.
So, I read the study. This was a meta-analysis. A “study of studies” if you will. These guys and gals took studies from as far back as 2014 and pooled them together to write a study.
Here you go. This is why you can’t believe everything you read in headlines, folks.
*Increasing daily steps above 2,000 was associated with risk reduction.
*There was a significant reduction in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and falls in those logging more steps.
Then they said, “These outcomes were best around 5,000-7,000 steps per day, with no extra benefit beyond that range. Meanwhile, more steps consistently tracked with reduced cardiovascular disease, cancer incidence, cancer mortality, Type 2 diabetes incidence, and depressive symptoms.”
HUH?????
They went on to say, “Although 10,000 steps per day, an unofficial target for decades without a clear evidence base, was associated with substantially lower risks for all cause mortality, cardiovascular disease incidence, cancer mortality, dementia, and depressive symptoms than 7, 000 steps per day, the incremental improvement beyond 7,000 steps was small, and there was no statistical differences between 7,000 steps per day and a higher step count for all the other outcomes.”
“Therefore, 7,000 steps per day might be a more realistic and achievable recommendation for some, but 10,000 steps per day can still be a viable target for those who are more active.”
“Similar to current moderate-intensity to vigorous-intensity physical activity recommendations, the message that every step counts should be emphasized as a core public health message, regardless of the specific quantitative target.”
The typical American walks under 5,000 steps daily.
Health and Human Services guidelines updated in 2018 advise 150-300 minutes of moderate exercise or 75-150 minutes of vigorous exercise each week, along with muscle and strength training twice weekly (I say at least three).
How true to the study do you think the headline was?
My concern is someone will read the headline and then decide that they don’t need to walk at all.
We have to do better.
