EDOR Co-Director Sir Jim Mann, Professor of Medicine and Human Nutrition, was interviewed by 1News about recent research showing that 7000 steps per day was sufficient to reduce your health risk.
The Australian-led research carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of 57 studies that examined the relationship between device-measured daily steps and health outcomes among adults.
Published in The Lancet Public Health, the research showed that 7000 steps per day is associated with clinically meaningful improvements in health outcomes and might be a more realistic and achievable target for some than the commonly used 10,000 step target.
Profesor Mann told 1News that most of the health benefits of walking, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia and depression, could be gained through fewer steps than widely thought:
"...most of the benefits you would get from 10,000 steps, you will get from 7000 steps," says Professor Mann.
1News reported that the original 10,000 step target was first promoted by a Japanese pedometer company in the 1960's. However, the research shows that every little bit of activity helps, "...so actually, 3000 or 4000 steps is better than 2000," says Professor Mann.
Access the research article
Daily steps and health outcomes in adults: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis, The Lancet Public Health, August 2025