Walking 12,000 steps daily boosts teens’ mental and physical health, study finds

A scientific study has found that walking 12,000 steps or more each day is associated with better physical and mental health in teenagers, with increased physical activity linked to changes in brain regions involved in motor and cognitive functions.

Researchers from King’s College London and the University of Massachusetts Amherst monitored the health of more than 5,500 adolescents, with an average age of 12, using wearable devices to track vital signs. Participants also underwent brain MRI scans and mental health assessments.

The study results showed that higher step counts among teenagers were linked to greater thickness in two brain regions related to motor and cognitive functions.

The researchers explained that physical activity stimulates the release of beneficial brain chemicals, including dopamine and serotonin, and helps reduce levels of other substances such as cortisol, which may help lower stress and reduce depression.

The medical research website HealthDay quoted researchers participating in the study as stressing the importance of parents encouraging their children to walk more each day, noting that regular movement plays a key role in promoting health and that setting aside time for daily walks can make a significant difference.