Overview
- Researchers presented a systematic review at the European Congress on Obesity that linked raising daily steps to about 8,500 within lifestyle programs to better weight control.
- In pooled trials, participants lifted their average from roughly 7,200 to about 8,500 steps during an eight-month loss phase and lost about 4.4% of their body weight.
- During roughly 10 months of follow-up, participants kept averaging more than 8,200 steps and regained only about 2 pounds on average.
- Most reports say the analysis pooled 14 studies with 3,758 adults, though one outlet cited 18 trials, pointing to a discrepancy in study counts.
- Experts stress the link does not prove cause and say diet drives most weight loss, while walking and other exercise help maintain losses and preserve lean mass, including for people using GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.