Mongolia's National Olympic Committee have called on the public to walk 10,000 steps a day ©MNOC

The Mongolia National Olympic Committee (MNOC) have launched a campaign encouraging people to walk 10,000 steps a day.

The effort was urged by the MNOC’s Medical Commission as part of a drive to encourage people to lead healthier lifestyles.

The Commission claimed that the country ranks 159th in the world for the average life expectancy at 69.6 years of age.

Monaco top the statistics with an average of 89.4 years, followed by Japan, where the life expectancy is 85.3.

The Commission then highlighted that the leading cause of death in the country is heart disease, with more than 70 per cent of cases caused by high blood pressure.

The MNOC claim walking would help to boost the health of the population in the country ©MNOC
The MNOC claim walking would help to boost the health of the population in the country ©MNOC

MNOC President Demchigjav Zagdsuren, who also chairs the Medical Commission, opted to launch the "Let’s all walk 10,000 steps per day" campaign.

It is hoped the initiative will help to start tackling the issue in the country, with the public becoming more active and ultimately healthier.

The MNOC claimed that scientists have determined that 10,000 steps per day will prevent 55 per cent of cardiovascular disease.

It is also claimed that the risk of a stroke is reduced by 50 per cent, while diabetes would experience a drop of 58 per cent.

Reductions to the number of lung diseases, acute pulmonary inflammation and kidney stones would also occurred, the MNOC have asserted.