A recent investigation examined survey responses from parents of identical and non-identical twins across England and Wales, focusing on children from 16 months to 13 years of age. The findings reveal that fussy eating is primarily determined by genetic factors and remains a consistent trait from early childhood into the teenage years.
A new investigation indicates that fussy eating is largely driven by genetic factors and tends to stay consistent from early childhood through the early teen years, as reported by researchers from UCL (University College London), King’s College London, and the University of Leeds.
The research, featured in the Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry and supported by the UK mental health charity MQ Mental Health Research, analyzed survey data from parents of identical and non-identical twins in England and Wales, covering ages 16 months to 13 years.
During this period, the study revealed that levels of food fussiness remained relatively constant, peaking around the age of seven before experiencing a slight decline.
The researchers concluded that genetic variations accounted for about 60% of the differences in food fussiness at 16 months, increasing to over 74% from ages three to 13.
Shared environmental factors—such as the variety of foods available at home—were significant mainly during toddlerhood, while unique environmental factors (like individual experiences or social circles) gained influence as the children aged.
Food fussiness refers to a child’s preference for a narrow range of foods, often stemming from sensitivity to different textures or tastes and reluctance to try new items.
Dr. Zeynep Nas, the lead author from UCL Behavioural Science & Health, stated, “It’s common for children to be fussy eaters, which can lead to significant anxiety for parents and caregivers who might feel responsible for this behavior.”
“Our findings, indicating that fussy eating is primarily an innate characteristic, could help lessen the blame placed on parents. This behavior isn’t just a consequence of parenting.”
“Our research also suggests that fussy eating may not merely be a temporary phase but could follow a continuing pattern.”
Professor Clare Llewellyn, a senior author from UCL Behavioural Science & Health, added: “While genetics mainly drive food fussiness, environmental factors also play a supportive role. Factors shared among families, like having meals together, seem crucial during toddlerhood. This indicates that strategies aimed at encouraging children to try a wider assortment of foods, such as regularly introducing the same foods or providing varied fruits and vegetables, might be most effective during early childhood.”
The research team used data from the Gemini study led by UCL, which is the largest twin study examining genetic and environmental impacts on early growth, involving 2,400 twin pairs.
Parents completed questionnaires detailing their children’s eating habits when the kids were 16 months, three, five, seven, and 13 years old.
To distinguish genetic influences from environmental ones, the researchers compared how similar non-identical twins, who share 50% of their genes, were in their fussy eating habits to the similarities in identical twins, who share 100% of their genes.
It was discovered that non-identical twin pairs exhibited considerably less similarity in their eating fussiness than identical twin pairs, highlighting the significant genetic role.
Furthermore, the team noted that identical twins became more dissimilar in their fussy eating as they grew older, showing the increasing impact of unique environmental factors in later years. Any differences between identical twins are attributed to those unique environmental factors since they share both genetics and certain similar aspects of their environment, which typically make them more alike.
By ages seven and 13, unique environmental factors accounted for roughly a quarter of the individual differences in fussy eating among children, according to researchers’ estimates.
In contrast, shared environmental factors contributed about a quarter to the individual differences in food fussiness at 16 months but had little effect as children aged.
Dr. Alison Fildes, a senior author from the University of Leeds, remarked, “Although fussy eating is strongly influenced by genetics and may persist beyond early childhood, it isn’t set in stone. Parents can foster a diverse diet for their children throughout childhood and into their teenage years, though friendships might become a more substantial influence on eating habits during adolescence.”
The researchers acknowledged some limitations, such as fewer participants at age seven (703 children), and noted the sample predominantly consisted of white British families from higher socioeconomic backgrounds compared to the overall population of England and Wales.
Looking ahead, the team suggested that future research should investigate non-western populations, where dietary culture, parenting practices, and food security may differ greatly.
This study was conducted by researchers associated with UCL Behavioural Science & Health, King’s College London, the University of Leeds, the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and the University of Cambridge.
