Researchers indicate that individuals who have lost weight and wish to maintain it should walk approximately 8500 steps daily. According to a report published by The Telegraph, a new study shows that the number of daily steps is a critical factor in preventing the regain of lost weight.
The findings of the research are set to be presented at the European Obesity Conference in Istanbul and will also be published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The study was led by Professor Marwan Alghosh, who confirmed that around 80 percent of individuals who are overweight or obese and initially lose weight tend to regain some or all of it within three to five years.
Event Details
Alghosh and his colleagues in Italy and Lebanon analyzed 14 previous studies in search of common patterns. These studies included 3758 individuals suffering from overweight or obesity, with an average age of 53 years, including participants from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Japan.
1987 individuals underwent lifestyle modification programs that included following a healthy diet and increasing walking. Meanwhile, 1771 others followed only a diet or received no treatment, forming the comparison group. The programs included a weight loss phase followed by a maintenance phase aimed at preventing long-term weight regain.
Background & Context
The number of daily steps for each participant was measured at the start of the trials, then at the end of the weight loss phase, which lasted on average 7.9 months, and finally at the end of the weight maintenance phase, which lasted on average 10.3 months. The results showed that both groups recorded a similar number of daily steps at the beginning of the study, with an average of 7280 steps daily in the lifestyle modification group compared to 7180 steps in the comparison group.
Researchers found that the comparison group did not record any increase in daily steps, nor did they achieve any weight loss during any phase of the study. In contrast, the group that followed lifestyle modification programs increased their average daily steps to 8454 steps by the end of the weight loss phase, with an average body weight reduction of 4.39 percent, equivalent to about 4 kilograms.
Impact & Consequences
At the end of the weight maintenance phase, these participants continued to walk, recording an average of 8241 steps daily. The study showed that they were also able to maintain most of the weight they lost, with an average weight loss of 3.28 percent, equivalent to about 3 kilograms, by the end of the trials.
Researchers concluded that there is a clear correlation between increasing daily steps and reducing weight regain, although reducing calorie intake appeared to be the most influential factor during the weight loss phase. Alghosh stated, "Participants should always be encouraged to increase their daily steps to around 8500 steps during the weight loss phase and to maintain this level of physical activity during the weight maintenance phase to help prevent weight regain."
Regional Significance
This study is particularly significant in the Arab region, where many countries suffer from high obesity rates. The results could help guide health policies and raise awareness about the importance of physical activity in maintaining weight.
In conclusion, this study suggests that increasing physical activity through walking can be a simple and effective strategy for maintaining weight after loss, reflecting the importance of balancing proper nutrition with physical activity.