A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 3,758 adults reveals that 8,500 daily steps, paired with dietary intervention, drives an average 4.4% body-weight reduction over eight months with minimal regain. Unlike single RCTs limited by small samples, this pooled analysis strengthens causal inference on step counts yet remains observational in nature regarding long-term adherence, with no reported conflicts of interest among authors. The original Healthline coverage correctly highlights attainability but overlooks how non-exercise activity thermogenesis research (Levine et al., 2005, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, n=20) demonstrates that modest step increases above sedentary baselines amplify calorie burn without structured exercise. It also misses the synergy with NEAT patterns identified in the UK Biobank cohort (n>80,000), where 8,000-9,000 steps correlated with lower obesity risk independent of diet. Control groups in the meta-analysis stayed at 7,200 steps and lost nothing, underscoring that the 8,500 threshold functions as a practical lever only within calorie-controlled programs. For viewers facing weight struggles, this concrete target offers immediate actionability: track via phone, add 1,300 steps through daily walks, and sustain the habit to retain 78% of initial loss at 18 months.