In the few windows during the pandemic, when things seemed normal, entrepreneur Mithila Chirawawala sent her three-year-old daughter Alia for birthday parties and to play areas. However, she was constantly worried if Alia would return with a cold or cough, not from the virus, but from children whose immunity was compromised due to the pandemic. A common concern among many mommies is that being at home for too long might have impacted their immunity. Dr Raashi Khatri-Panjabi, MD, consultant - headaches, pain management and TMJ disorders, PD Hinduja Hospital, Mahim, feels that although we have given our children passive acquired immunity through childhood vaccines, adaptive immunity develops from exposure to other children and the body building its own natural defence from responding to external microorganisms and viruses. “People have been living in a hyper-sanitised bubble. Decreased exposure to infections in children increases the chances of allergies. There is also a large impact of the psychological effect of isolation on the immunity of children, suppressing bodies’ protective immune response.” 

Karishma Chawla, functional nutrition coach, too, cites lack of activity, schedules, and discipline, and excess exposure to ready foods as the prime culprits of decreased immunity. “Kids ape elders; many adults went off track in the pandemic with their nutrition and lifestyle. The pandemic demands balance in every way. The easiest way as a parent is to have a single-point focus on wanting your child to build health. Lead by example — embrace the art of healthy eating and living; talk to the child about healthy eating and involve them in daily cooking decisions.”