Food Fussiness Among Kids Linked To Genes: Parenting Is Not Always The Problem

Kids tend to refuse eating not because of parenting style but because of genes, according to a study. The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry publishes this study that investigated how genes and environmental factors affect most of children's eating habits.

The said research found that eating habits have substantial genetic basis. "Establishing a genetic influence might be quite a relief to parents as they often feel judged or feel guilty for their children's fussy eating," co-author Andrea Smith said.

The research was conducted through the use of data from the Gemini study, the largest twin cohort in the world. The study went on with the analysis of the early life eating behaviors of 1,921 families with 16-month-old twins. The conclusion of the study is that children are born with fussy eating habits and not because of parenting but because of genes, as reported by UCL.

Difference of Food Fusiness and Food Neophobia

Food fussiness, which is the tendency to be highly selective about the textures, taste and smell of foods a child is willing to eat, is now being disconnected to parenting. However, some still link food fussiness with inadequate parenting, making this behavior a consequence depending on the cases of kids.

Food neophobia is the refusal of a child to try new food. This is considered normal when talking about the development stage of a child. Food neophobia is not always a consequence of parents' behaviour.

Home environment and parental behaviour are considered of great influence to food fussiness more than food neophobia, researchers suggested. But they further propose that environmental factors were less important than the genetic influences of a child.

On another note, the eating habits of parents, particularly the mother, have effects on the eating habits of the child as well, as another study claims. This longitudinal study published in NCBI concludes that "maternal eating disorders might have a specific adverse effect on the children's eating habits and attitudes."

No matter the factors, kids should be properly guided to eat well all the time to maintain their nutrition. Kids cannot function well if they are undernourished.