Harvard Health Content API

Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets go with us everywhere. Even when we’re dining out with family and friends. A new study in the journal Pediatrics looked at how adults used mobile devices when they were with their kids. Researchers focused on meal time. They conducted 55 anonymous observations in fast food restaurants, in Boston from July to August 2013. They took detailed notes about how and how much parents interacted with their mobile devices and their kids. Forty parents actually used their smartphone during the meal. Some were totally absorbed in their phones the entire time. Some shared photos or videos with their kids. Researchers also noted how parents dealt with kids acting up while they were on the phone. Some parents gave their kids a look or a nudge. Some provided a mobile device for their child to play on. The study was published in Pediatrics online.

People who lose their hearing are more likely than others to become depressed, a new study suggests. Researchers looked at data from a U.S. government health survey of 18,000 adults. Those who were 70 and older received hearing tests. The others were asked about their hearing and any problems with it. Everyone also filled out a questionnaire designed to show if they were depressed. About 5% of those with no hearing problems and 11% of those with some degree of hearing loss were depressed. Depression with hearing loss was most common among those under age 70. Women had higher rates of depression than men. Depression was also more likely as hearing loss grew worse. But those who were totally deaf were not more likely to be depressed. Researchers said they may have become used to coping with a lack of hearing.