Even a little exercise chases the blues

In the 2003 movie “Lost in Translation,” over-the-hill American movie star Bob Harris (Bill Murray) rambles around Tokyo — he’s there to shoot a whisky commercial — in a fog of depression. Trying to pick himself up, he hits the elliptical (he had the right idea), but ends up losing the battle of the machines and limping around feeling blue until Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) shows up. Fortunately for Mr. Harris, those (American) Scandinavians know a thing or two about dealing with depression.

Recently, researchers looked at nearly 34,000 Norwegian adults and monitored their physical activity, with depression and anxiety symptoms, over the course of 11 years, making it the largest study of its kind. They found that for some folks who suffered from depression, exercising just one to two hours a week fought off their funk. In fact, the study showed that just one round of exercise could snap you out of your funky mood.

So, if you’re feeling down in the dumps, get up and move! Don’t stop at an hour or two a week — start from there. There’s tons of solid scientific evidence that shows working out for at least 30 minutes, five or six days a week, battles everything from the blues to the bulge.

Do math on weight

The top U.S. elementary school in the 2016-2017 Math League was Medina Elementary School in Medina, Washington. Congratulations, kids! These students know their numbers. Unfortunately, many high school students around the country don’t.

According to the latest results of the Program for International Student Assessment — its worldwide exam is administered every three years; in 2015, it went to 540,000 15-year-olds in 72 countries — the U.S. ranks 40th in students’ average math scores.

Maybe that’s why it’s so hard to convince people that carrying around even a little extra weight damages their health: They can’t add up the info.

Well, a new study in Nature Communications makes it pretty easy: Every 2.2 pounds of extra weight you carry reduces your life expectancy by two months.

For the 30 percent of U.S. adults who are obese (say, 50 pounds overweight), the lost months can add up to eight years or more! But, there’s hope. The researchers also say losing 2.2 pounds adds two months to your life. And losing a pound a week can undo the 50-pounds-overweight life deficit in a year!

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.