An international meta-analysis slated for presentation at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026) in Istanbul, Turkey (May 12–15) suggests that people who increase their walking to roughly 8,500 steps a day during a weight-loss program and sustain similar levels afterward may be less likely to regain weight.
A systematic review and meta-analysis led by Professor Marwan El Ghoch of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia assessed randomized controlled trials examining step-count-based lifestyle programs and weight outcomes.
Researchers screened 18 trials and included 14 randomized controlled trials comprising 3,758 adults in the final meta-analysis. Across the trials, participants in lifestyle modification programs combined dietary guidance with recommendations to walk more and track daily steps.
By the end of the weight-loss phase (average duration 7.9 months), people in the lifestyle modification programs increased their walking to an average of 8,454 steps per day and lost an average of 4.39% of their body weight (about 4 kg, as reported in the conference materials).
By the end of the maintenance phase (average duration 10.3 months), participants were still averaging 8,241 steps per day and, on average, maintained most of their loss, with an average long-term weight loss of 3.28% (about 3 kg).
The analysis also reported that higher step counts were associated with less weight regain over time, while increased walking was not linked to greater weight loss during the initial dieting period. The researchers described increasing walking to around 8,500 steps per day as a practical strategy to support weight-loss maintenance.
