Rising pollution levels and a deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) are disrupting children’s outdoor routines across the city, forcing many to skip daily sports coaching. With parents unwilling to expose their children to polluted air, playgrounds and training grounds are seeing thinning crowds. Doctors warn that long spells indoors and reduced physical activity can increase the risk of obesity, weakened immunity, rising screen dependence and behavioural issues, among other issues.

Affecting children