Clumsy children risk becoming obese adults

London: Children with poor hand control and coordination are more likely to become obese adults, researchers said last Wednesday. The finding adds to a growing body of evidence linking poorer cognitive function in childhood to obesity and type 2 diabetes in adults.

A study of thousands of British children found those with the worst cognitive and physical function at the ages of seven and 11 years were far more likely to be obese in later life.

"It's not a question of people who are already overweight becoming clumsy because the majority of these children weren't any heavier than their peers," researcher Scott Montgomery said.

"It was assumed that all the neurological complications associated with obesity were consequences of obesity itself. This suggests that's not the case."