Report on Physical Activity Benchmarks and Their Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A significant study published in The Lancet Public Health presents new evidence on daily physical activity benchmarks, suggesting that achieving 7,000 steps per day provides substantial health benefits. This report analyzes these findings, with a specific focus on their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Key Research Findings

The research, which analyzed data from over 160,000 adults, challenges the widely promoted but non-evidence-based goal of 10,000 steps a day. The 10,000-step figure originated from a 1960s marketing campaign in Japan rather than scientific validation. The study establishes a more realistic and scientifically supported target.

Health Benefits Correlated with a 7,000-Step Daily Target

Compared to a baseline of 2,000 daily steps, achieving 7,000 steps was associated with a significantly reduced risk of premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These findings directly support the objectives of SDG 3.

• Cardiovascular Disease: A 25% reduction in risk.
• Dementia: A 38% reduction in risk.
• Depression: A 22% reduction in risk.
• Cancer: A 6% reduction in risk.

The study notes that while benefits for most conditions tend to plateau beyond 7,000 steps, additional walking continues to confer advantages for cardiovascular health.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The primary contribution of this research is to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. By identifying an achievable physical activity target, the findings provide a practical strategy to combat NCDs and promote mental health, directly addressing SDG Target 3.4, which calls for a one-third reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2030.

Broader Contributions to the SDG Framework

Promoting walking as a primary form of physical activity has cascading benefits that support other critical SDGs:

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Encouraging populations to walk necessitates the development of safe, accessible, and inclusive public spaces and transport systems (Target 11.2 and 11.7). This fosters the creation of walkable cities that are more sustainable and equitable.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action: Choosing to walk instead of relying on fossil-fuel-powered transportation directly reduces individual carbon footprints, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education: The dissemination of this research enhances public health literacy (Target 4.7), empowering individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and adopt sustainable lifestyles.

Expert Commentary and Policy Implications

Health experts concur that the study effectively debunks the “myth” of the 10,000-step necessity. Dr. Daniel Bailey of Brunel University London noted that a 7,000-step goal is a “more realistic and achievable target” for the general population.

Lead author Dr. Melody Ding suggests that a step-based recommendation could serve as a valuable “addition” to existing time-based guidelines from bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO). A step count is an intuitive metric that can “prompt people to think about spreading their physical activities throughout the day,” thereby making public health guidelines more accessible and actionable for a wider audience.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article directly addresses SDG 3 by focusing on promoting health and preventing diseases through physical activity. It highlights how a daily walking habit can lead to better health outcomes.
• The research discussed in the article links walking with a “reduced risk of serious health issues, including cancer, dementia and heart disease,” which are major global health challenges.
• It also touches upon mental well-being, noting that walking is associated with a “reduced risk of… depression,” contributing to the overall goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

• The article’s core message is about the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The study’s findings that walking 7,000 steps a day reduces the risk of “cardiovascular disease,” “cancer,” and “dementia” directly support the prevention aspect of this target.
• The target’s emphasis on promoting mental health and well-being is clearly connected to the finding that increased physical activity leads to a “22%” reduced risk of “depression.”

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for Target 3.4

• Percentage reduction in the risk of non-communicable diseases: The article provides specific quantitative data that can serve as indicators of the effectiveness of physical activity in disease prevention. It states that walking 7,000 steps a day is linked to a reduced risk of:
  • Cardiovascular disease by 25%
  • Cancer by 6%
  • Dementia by 38%
• Percentage reduction in the risk of depression: As a measure of promoting mental health, the article specifies a “22%” reduction in the risk of depression for those walking 7,000 steps a day.
• Daily step count: The article promotes the “number of steps people should take” as a practical and accessible measure of physical activity. It discusses various thresholds (4,000, 7,000, and 10,000 steps) that can be used to track and encourage physical activity levels in the population.
• Time spent on physical activity: The article references the formal indicator used by the World Health Organization, which states that “adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity every week.” This provides a direct link to established global health indicators.

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com