Step up to lose weight

If people wish to lose weight by walking, they should walk at least 250 minutes a week - about 35 minutes a day, according to a recent report. / Korea Times file

Men need to walk at least 11,000 steps a day to lose weight and women 8,000 steps, a report shows.

The National Health Insurance Service released the report containing guidelines on physical activity for overweight people, Tuesday.

It recommends low to mid-level intensity exercise. Cardio exercises such as walking, cycling or swimming help burn fat, it said.

But it said if people wish to lose weight by walking, they should walk at least 250 minutes a week - about 35 minutes a day.

Men should walk 11,000 to 12,000 steps and women 8,000 to 12,000 steps.

The report also advises people to take public transport and the stairs instead of driving and taking the elevator.

Above all, it stresses the importance of consistent and moderate exercise. It cautions against losing more than a kilogram a week.