Children who have trouble controlling their hands and bodies are more likely to be obese later in life, according to a study published on BMJ.com.

Researchers checked more than 6,800 11-year-olds on tests such as copying a simple design, making squares on paper and picking up matches to evaluate their physical skills. They also reviewed surveys of teachers to track who had poor coordination or clumsiness at age 7.

When those same children were 33 years old, their body-mass index was checked.

Those who were noted as having poor physical skills were more likely to be obese later in life.

"Some early life exposures (such as maternal smoking during pregnancy) or personal characteristics may impair the development of physical control and coordination, as well as increasing the risk of obesity in later life," the study's authors said in a news release.