A study by scientists from University College London, King's College London, and the University of Leeds found that fussy eating in children is largely due to genetic factors, while other factors like the types of food eaten at home and dining settings have more impact during the toddler years. This study, which was published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, involved over 2,000 pairs of twins born in 2007 in the UK. Parents answered questions about their children's eating behaviors from ages 16 months to 13 years.
The research showed that identical twins, who share 100% of their genetic material, were more similar in their fussy eating habits than non-identical twins, suggesting a strong genetic influence. Fussy eating tends to peak around age 7 and decreases during adolescence. The study's authors emphasize that fussy eating is mainly due to genetics, not parenting styles, alleviating some guilt parents may feel.
Abigail Pickard, a child psychology researcher at Aston University who wasn't involved in the study, noted that fussy eating is common in children. Her recent study found about 16% of children in the UK aged 3-5 are fussy eaters, with factors like age, parenting style, and culture playing a role. She advises parents to maintain a relaxed mealtime atmosphere and avoid turning meals into a battle. Caregivers should model healthy eating habits and avoid using food as a reward to encourage children to eat foods they dislike, as this can create harmful food associations.