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The Lancet Voice · Aug 14, 2025 · 27 min

Step counts and health outcomes - 7,000 or 10,000?

Where did the 10,000 steps recommendation come from? Why has it proven so stubborn? What's the science behind the new recommendations? How strong is the evidence? Professor Melody Ding joins Gavin to talk about her new systematic review published in The Lancet Public Health, examining the relationship between step counts and health outcomes. We also explore the challenges of measuring physical activity, the importance of inclusive research, and the role of environmental and policy interventions in promoting population health. Read the article from The Lancet Public Health here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(25)00164-1/fulltext?dgcid=buzzsprout_tlv_podcast_August_25_lanpub Send us your feedback! Read all of our content at https://www.thelancet.com/?dgcid=buzzsprout_tlv_podcast_generic_lancet Check out all the podcasts from The Lancet Group: https://www.thelancet.com/multimedia/podcasts?dgcid=buzzsprout_tlv_podcast_generic_lancet Continue this conversation on social! Follow us today at... https://thelancet.bsky.social/ https://instagram.com/thelancetgroup https://facebook.com/thelancetmedicaljournal https://linkedIn.com/company/the-lancet https://youtube.com/thelancettv The Lancet Voice is part of the Lancet Group podcast offering. Editorial team: Niall Boyce, Miriam Sabin, Jessamy Bagenal, Richard Horton, and Gavin Cleaver Podcast editing: Matteo Simonetti Visit https://www.thelancet.com/multimedia to learn more about our multimedia offering. Find the best science for better lives at thelancet.com Follow us today at... https://thelancet.bsky.social/ https://instagram.com/thelancetgroup https://facebook.com/thelancetmedicaljournal https://linkedIn.com/company/the-lancet https://youtube.com/thelancettv

0:00-27:24

transcript

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show notes

Where did the 10,000 steps recommendation come from? Why has it proven so stubborn? What's the science behind the new recommendations? How strong is the evidence?

Professor Melody Ding joins Gavin to talk about her new systematic review published in The Lancet Public Health, examining the relationship between step counts and health outcomes. We also explore the challenges of measuring physical activity, the importance of inclusive research, and the role of environmental and policy interventions in promoting population health.

Read the article from The Lancet Public Health here:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(25)00164-1/fulltext?dgcid=buzzsprout_tlv_podcast_August_25_lanpub

Send us your feedback!

Read all of our content at https://www.thelancet.com/?dgcid=buzzsprout_tlv_podcast_generic_lancet

Check out all the podcasts from The Lancet Group:
https://www.thelancet.com/multimedia/podcasts?dgcid=buzzsprout_tlv_podcast_generic_lancet

Continue this conversation on social!
Follow us today at...
https://thelancet.bsky.social/
https://instagram.com/thelancetgroup
https://facebook.com/thelancetmedicaljournal
https://linkedIn.com/company/the-lancet
https://youtube.com/thelancettv

The Lancet Voice is part of the Lancet Group podcast offering. 

Editorial team: Niall Boyce, Miriam Sabin, Jessamy Bagenal, Richard Horton, and Gavin Cleaver

Podcast editing: Matteo Simonetti

Visit https://www.thelancet.com/multimedia to learn more about our multimedia offering. 

Find the best science for better lives at thelancet.com

Follow us today at...
https://thelancet.bsky.social/
https://instagram.com/thelancetgroup
https://facebook.com/thelancetmedicaljournal
https://linkedIn.com/company/the-lancet
https://youtube.com/thelancettv

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