Official Highlights Importance Of Play

There was a time when childhood announced itself loudly. It lived in dusty streets, in scraped knees and laughter that carried across neighbourhoods until sunset. Children raced homemade wire cars down gravel roads, climbed trees without fear and turned every open space into a playground.

In many homes, childhood now unfolds indoors, behind glowing screens, in long hours of sitting and scrolling. The movement that once defined growing up is slowly disappearing and with it, health experts warn, comes a silent but dangerous consequence: the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among children. Diseases once associated almost entirely with adulthood such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular complications and some cancers are increasingly being diagnosed in younger age groups.

For health professionals, the trend is deeply concerning. Chief public relations officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr Christopher Nyanga, said although NCD prevalence among children remained lower than among adults, the upward trajectory cannot be ignored. He said children were being affected by NCDs, noting that conditions such as childhood cancers, type 1 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases were becoming more visible.

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He attributed the rise largely to unhealthy diets, obesity and increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Phones, tablets, televisions and gaming devices have become central to children’s daily routines, often replacing outdoor play and physical activity. While digital platforms provide both entertainment and educational value, excessive screen time has significantly reduced movement among children.

“Physical activity is essential for healthy growth and development,” Dr Nyanga said. He explained that regular movement strengthened bones and muscles, supported heart health, helped regulate body weight and contributed positively to mental wellbeing. Without it, children face a far greater risk of obesity and future health complications. Diet, too, has become a major contributor to the growing burden of NCDs.

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