Study Finds Modest Link Between Higher Daily Steps and Weight Loss Maintenance, But Only as Part of Broader Lifestyle Changes

A new study suggests that increasing daily step counts may help people maintain weight loss in the long term, with an average of 8,500 daily steps appearing to help participants maintain weight loss the longest. The research, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and presented last week at the European Obesity Conference, analyzed data from 18 previous studies looking at weight loss and physical activity.

Researchers found that walking more was not strongly linked to losing additional weight during active weight loss programs.

However, people who continued taking more steps each day were more likely to keep the weight off over time. 5 years, researchers found participants maintained roughly 1% of weight loss for every additional 1,000 steps they walked daily. The average participant started at about 7,400 steps per day at baseline.

The study noted that an average of 8,500 daily steps appeared to help participants maintain weight loss the longest, though researchers stressed that it is not a strict target or prescription for everyone. The increased activity occurred as part of structured lifestyle programs that included diet changes and behavioral counseling.

"This was a lifestyle modification program, and it really is a multifactorial approach when it comes to weight loss.

So these individuals got diet and behavioral counseling in addition to really moving more. And so you really need all of that," ABC News medical contributor Dr. Tara Narula said on "Good Morning America" Monday.