In recent years, there has been a push to end obesity by promoting healthy eating from a young age. These days, many school cafeterias serve up more nutritious dining options, while fast food giant McDonald’s now puts apple slices in kids’ Happy Meals.

Every step parents and children take toward promoting healthier lifestyles is important, as the findings of a new study link obesity, high blood pressure and risk factors known as metabolic abnormalities to cognitive decline.

To see what effect people’s weight has on their cognitive skills, researchers analyzed data from 6,401 individuals with an average age of 50. At the onset of the study, the results of which appeared in the medical journal "Neurology," participants’ body mass index (BMI) and risk factors were recorded. Then, each subject took memory and cognitive skills tests three times over the next 10 years.

The researchers found that those who were both obese and metabolically abnormal also experienced a 22.5 percent drop on their test scores. Participants who were not overweight and did not have metabolic abnormalities did not experience the same decline.

As a result, individuals who feel as though their BMI is increasing with each passing year may want to see how their weight is affecting their cognitive abilities by taking an IQ test.