Fussy eating in children has long been a source of concern for parents, but a groundbreaking study suggests that genetic factors play a significant role in this behavior. Conducted by researchers from University College London, King’s College London, and the University of Leeds, the study indicates that being a picky eater is primarily inherited, persisting from toddlerhood into early adolescence. The findings were published in the Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, based on surveys filled out by parents of both identical and non-identical twins across England and Wales. These surveys tracked the eating habits of the children from the age of 16 months to 13 years.
The research reveals that food fussiness tends to be stable over time, peaking around age seven before experiencing a gradual decline. At 16 months, genetics accounted for approximately 60% of the variability in picky eating, a figure that increased to 74% by age 13. While family meal traditions influenced eating habits in younger children, the impact of individual experiences—such as interactions with friends and choices at school lunches—became more prominent as children matured.
So, what exactly constitutes food fussiness? It generally refers to a child’s tendency to adhere to a limited range of foods, often influenced by specific preferences related to texture or flavor. Dr. Zeynep Nas, the lead researcher, noted that many parents often worry about their child’s selective eating and frequently feel guilty about it. This study’s results may alleviate some of that guilt, emphasizing that picky eating is more linked to genetic predisposition than to parenting strategies.
While the research underscores the importance of genetic factors, senior author Professor Clare Llewellyn highlighted that environmental influences also play a role. Therefore, parents can still encourage their children to explore a diverse array of fruits and vegetables early on, which could have lasting positive effects on their eating habits. The study included 2,400 sets of twins, demonstrating that identical twins exhibited more similarity in their food fussiness compared to their non-identical counterparts.
In addition to these insights, Dr. Alison Fildes reminded parents that they can promote a varied diet for their children, even as peer influences become stronger. The researchers plan to further investigate fussy eating patterns in non-Western food cultures, anticipating that these cultures may present unique challenges and characteristics related to picky eating. This ongoing exploration aims to deepen our understanding of food preferences and behaviors across different cultural contexts.
