It may seem like weight gain is an inevitable part of growing older, but a new study suggests that walking is one way to avoid the creep of extra pounds.

Research conducted at the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina found that the more people walked, the more likely they were to maintain their weight over the years, WebMD reports.

The study took place over a period of 15 years and involved nearly 5,000 subjects, whose exercise habits and weight were monitored.

According to the researchers, walking for as little as a half hour per day was correlated with 1 pound less gained every year.

The findings, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggest that it may be easier than people think to stave off weight gain and stay healthy later in life.

“Walking is of particular relevance because it is generally an affordable and accessible form of physical activity for most people,” commented lead researcher Penny Gordon-Larsen, according to the news provider.

Some other moderate-intensity activities that can help older people keep in shape include gardening, swimming and golf.