Research
Adherence
Optimal health benefits for sedentary type 2 diabetes patients are achieved at approximately 27 MET hours per week (approx. 3.2 miles or 6,400 steps of additional walking daily), with benefits continuing to increase up to this level.
Aim to add 6,400 steps (3.2 miles) to your daily walking routine for optimal health benefits, but do not be discouraged if you can only manage 2,400 steps. The health improvements are dose-dependent, meaning more walking yields more benefit, but even the lower amount is significantly better than no increase.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Further, they found that the health benefits of physical activity continued to increase as physical activity increased up to a maximum of 21–30 MET h/week. Thus, they recommend 27 MET h/week as a good target for sedentary patients with type 2 diabetes.
Why this rating
Based on post hoc analysis; author notes caution is needed.
Source
Walking and Type 2 Diabetes
James O. Hill · Diabetes Care · 2005
DOI 10.2337/diacare.28.6.1524
narrative_reviewCited 10×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
Related findings · Adherence
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