(By Utkarsh Yadav)
As winter sets in, heavy smog continues to blanket large regions of North India. Delhi’s Air Quality Index has repeatedly hit hazardous levels over the past few months. This toxic atmosphere has been causing a rise in breathing problems like chronic coughing, allergies, and asthma-like issues.
But there is another problem that demands immediate attention amid rising pollution levels- one that is robbing children of an essential part of their growing up. Now, more than ever, air pollution is keeping more and more kids at home. Not stepping out to play outside or indulging in regular outdoor activities is a serious concern that must be tackled on a priority basis.
Why Is Physical Activity Essential
What happens when kids go out and play? Outdoor play plays a big role in helping them stay fit, manage emotions, and build social skills. Even the WHO and NHS recommend young people aim for a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate or intense physical activity each day.
But when pollution keeps them stuck indoors for long periods, they lose that natural way to grow. In this scenario, structured indoor activities and exercise can play a crucial role in keeping them healthy.
Studies have shown that when teenagers do not get enough daily physical activity, it can lead to higher chances of weight gain, metabolic problems, and diseases like diabetes and heart issues as they grow older.
Staying active while being indoors can boost your heart and lung health, strengthen muscles, enhance endurance, and increase flexibility. It also helps your body burn calories faster and manage stress better. Not only that, it also improves small and large motor skills, which are important for handling daily tasks.
How Indoor Play Helps
Indoor games and activities help children grow confidence and emotional strength. Kids feel safer exploring their skills and pushing boundaries when they play in supervised spaces. They also learn to deal with wins and losses better. Games that use points or badges to reward steady effort can keep kids engaged and motivated without needing adults to remind them. These rewards sometimes connect to things like burning more calories, feeling happier, or breathing easier.
New studies show staying fit reduces the chances of anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms in children. This highlights a clear link between exercise and better mental health.
Policy changes are making the need for action more urgent. Moreover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned that a lazy lifestyle might expose a large part of India’s people to obesity, turning childhood fitness into a nationwide objective instead of just a private family issue.
Strong Action Holds The Key
Efforts like Khelo Bharat Niti with the National Education Policy can help make physical education, yoga, and organized indoor sports central to school programs instead of optional activities cut during cancelled outdoor time.
Schools could tackle rising pollution and occasional shifts to online classes by holding workshops to teach children and parents. They could also collaborate with healthcare workers to encourage daily activity that fits the realities of life in city homes and apartments.
In cities like Delhi, where air quality keeps getting worse, families can turn to indoor physical activities to keep kids moving without risking their health. Easy routines like indoor games, fitness exercises, yoga, dancing, or even app-based activities help maintain energy, strength, and mental stability when going outside is unsafe.
Parents and teachers must work together to make sure environmental problems do not disrupt kids' fitness, movement, or mental health. In today's world, keeping physical activity a priority is more important than ever for raising healthy future generations.
Utkarsh Yadav is the CEO & Co-Founder of KPro