India, Sept. 19 -- The health challenges of children are changing rapidly. Where parents once worried about seasonal flu or infections, now long-term conditions such as diabetes and heart disease are making their way into pediatric clinics. These illnesses, once considered adult problems, are becoming alarmingly common among kids. (Also read: Paediatrician explains how parents can handle 7 common health emergencies at home: From nosebleeds to choking )

According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Cardio Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, over 6 million children in India are now estimated to be overweight, and 2.4 million are already obese, according to recent estimates. The study also reveals childhood obesity is associated w...