Research Indicates That Picky Eating Peaks at Age 7 and Generally Eases in Adolescence
A new study conducted by scientists from the University of London, King’s College London, and the University of Leeds reveals that picky eating in children is largely attributed to genetic factors, while other elements, such as the types of food available at home and dining settings, may only hold significance during toddler years.
Picky eating is quite common among children and influenced by various factors – (Image source: Adobe Stock/gamelover).
The study was recently published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
The team conducted research involving over 2,000 pairs of identical and fraternal twins born in 2007 in the United Kingdom. Parents answered questions regarding their children’s eating behaviors from the ages of 16 months to 13 years.
The majority of identical twins share 100% of their genetic material, while fraternal twins do not. This allows researchers to compare the impact of genetic and environmental factors on eating habits in both groups and draw conclusions.
Regarding picky eating, researchers found that fraternal twins showed much less similarity compared to identical twins. This suggests that genetics plays a significant role in children’s reluctance to try new foods.
The study also revealed that picky eating tends to peak at age 7 and usually lessens as children enter adolescence.
The authors of the report emphasize that this research indicates picky eating in children is primarily influenced by genetic factors, rather than parenting styles. This finding alleviates some of the “guilt” parents may feel, as picky eating often causes considerable stress for children and families.
Ms. Abigail Pickard, a child psychology researcher at Aston University who did not participate in this study, stated that picky eating is quite common among children. One of her recent studies indicated that about 16% of children in the UK aged 3-5 are picky eaters, with factors such as age, parenting style, and culture also playing a role.
This researcher suggests that parents should strive to maintain a relaxed mealtime atmosphere and avoid turning meals into a battle. Caregivers should model healthy eating habits and refrain from using food as a reward to “entice” children to eat foods they dislike, as this can lead to unhealthy food associations.
