Children of fat parents are more likely to be slow learners, suggests new research.

The study shows that the offspring of overweight mums and dads have a higher risk of being stupid, socially incompetence, and clumsy.

Researchers discovered a link between obese dads and their child's ability to relate and interact with others as well as a link between fat mums and poor motor function.

Children of fat parents are more likely to be slow learners, suggests new research (file photo)

But for children born to two obese parents, their risk of developing with poor problem solving skills increased dramatically.

The shocking links are revealed at a time when more than 67 per cent of men in the UK and 58 per cent of women are considered obese.

A team from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) in the US analysed data from more than 5,000 women and their children in New York State.

Each was assessed when their child was four months old, and then another six times before they reached the age of three.

The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that compared to mothers of a 'normal' weight, obese mum's gave birth to children who were 70 percent more likely to fail a motor skill test at the age of three.

Children of obese fathers were found to be 75 more likely to fail the test's personal-social domain, which determines how well they were able to relate to and interact with others by age three.

But for children born to two obese parents, their risk of failing problem solving tests tripled compared to those parents of a normal weight.

A study by US scientists shows that the offspring of overweight mums and dads have a higher risk of being stupid, socially incompetent and clumsy

Study co-author Dr Edwina Yeung said: 'The previous US studies in this area have focused on the mothers' pre- and post-pregnancy weight.

'Our study is one of the few that also includes information about fathers, and our results suggest that dad's weight also has significant influence on child development.'

The team admitted that they could not say what was causing the link between obese parents and developmental problems, but said animal studies showed that obesity during pregnancy may promote inflammation, which could affect the fetal brain